2026 Masters Par 3 Contest Delayed Due To Severe Weather
2026 Masters Par 3 Contest Delayed Due To Severe Weather...
The traditional Par 3 Contest at Augusta National, a beloved prelude to the Masters Tournament, was postponed Wednesday afternoon due to severe thunderstorms rolling through Georgia. Tournament officials made the rare decision to halt play just 90 minutes after it began, sending players and fans scrambling for cover.
The delay marks only the fourth time in Masters history that the lighthearted event has been interrupted by weather. Heavy rain and lightning forced the evacuation of the iconic short course, where players often include family members as caddies in the relaxed competition.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed the contest will resume Thursday morning if conditions improve. "Safety remains our top priority," Ridley told reporters. "We're monitoring the situation closely."
Several top contenders, including defending champion Scottie Scheffler and rising star Ludvig Ă…berg, had already completed their rounds before the stoppage. Scheffler's 5-under 22 leads the field, with Ă…berg one stroke back.
The weather disruption comes at an inconvenient time for Masters organizers, who expanded the Par 3 Contest's television coverage this year. ESPN had planned three hours of live coverage to showcase the event's unique traditions, including players' children sometimes taking putts.
Local meteorologists predict clearer skies for Thursday's opening round, though scattered showers remain possible. Tournament officials say the main event will proceed as scheduled regardless of the Par 3 Contest's completion.
Augusta National's decision drew mixed reactions on social media, with some fans praising the caution while others lamented the lost opportunity to see golf's biggest stars in a relaxed setting. The Par 3 Contest has never been canceled entirely since its 1960 inception.
Tickets for Wednesday's event won't be refunded, but holders can exchange them for Thursday grounds passes if the contest resumes. The Masters app will provide real-time updates on the schedule.
Players now face an adjusted preparation routine heading into Thursday's first round. Many typically use the Par 3 Contest to fine-tune their short games before the tournament proper begins.
