Unlike other tournaments, there is no pro-am at the Masters Tournament. Instead, the golfers traditionally get together with their families on the Wednesday before the Masters and play the short course at Augusta National in a par-3 contest. The result is not only moments of sporting celebration, such as the holes-in-one, of which there were five this year, but also sugar-sweet moments with the offspring. And sometimes both come together, as was the case for winner Rickie Fowler.
The Masters Tournament 2024: Rickie Fowler wins Par-3-Contest
“Great way to start the week”, Fowler said after his win. “The par-3 contest is something special. You know, tradition of the Masters and being able to go out there, and now being able to spend with it my family. Been around plenty of the little kids over the years but a little different when we have our own out there. So special way for us first time having my daughter with my wife and I, and something we’ll always have.
Fowler had the most fun watching his daughter Maya together with Sammy Spieth, Jordan Spieth’s eldest son. “They’re four days apart so they’re basically best friends. They spend a lot of time together.”
Swinging with the Spieths ❤️pic.twitter.com/DZ1vczlPOT — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2024
With five strokes under par, Fowler won the fun event, the winner of which is said to be cursed. In the history of the Par 3 Contest, there has never been a winner who has gone on to win the Masters Tournament.
So perhaps it was luck for Sepp Straka, who finished tied second and holed a hole-in-one on the way. Viktor Hovland, Gary Woodland, Lucas Glover and Luke List were also able to celebrate an ace.
Viktor Hovland makes a hole-in-one on No. 6, the fifth ace today on the Par 3 Course. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Z7VrMMASaC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2024
Dakota Watson masters Masters greens
But it wasn’t just the professionals who set sporting records this year. Dakota Watson, the daughter of Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson, has obviously learnt from her father and mastered the greens at Augusta National. She sank one long putt after another.
A putt here, a putt there, Dakota Watson holed putts from everywhere. #themasters pic.twitter.com/75AYEPn0oF — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2024
Frankie Fleetwood already has a good swing on him too.
Frankie Fleetwood ladies & gentlemen!! #themasters pic.twitter.com/YEAQRpT4e6 — Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) April 11, 2024
While the Fleetwood scion is already a semi-pro, it was Crew Kopeka’s first time in the spotlight, and perhaps even his first holed putt.
No better place to learn the game. #themasters pic.twitter.com/HoRBvHy9nh — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2024