A Masters tradition is in the books for 2024. The Masters Par 3 Contest has come and gone, and a new champion has been crowned as Rickie Fowler fired a 5-under 22 on Augusta National's nine-hole par-3 course to take home the title. The fan favorite posted the clubhouse lead early in the competition with many players like Sepp Straka and J.T. Poston getting within a couple shots but never surpassing Fowler.
Fowler now holds the unenviable task of trying to break a streak dating back to 1960 of the Par 3 Contest winner not being able to slip on the green jacket later that same week. Numerous Masters champions have won the Par 3 Contest and the tournament, but never have they done so in the same year.
Fowler's card consisted of five birdies and four pars as he played alongside Jordan Spieth and Fred Couples. The theatrics of their grouping came in the form of Fowler and Spieth's children running rampant on the nine-hole, 1,090-yard par-3 course.
Elsewhere, fireworks came in the form of holes-in-one as there were five in total on the day, tying the second most in the competition's history. Luke List took the lid off the cup with an ace on No. 6; he was followed by Gary Woodland and Viktor Hovland on the same hole, Sepp Straka on No. 5, and Lucas Glover on No. 7. The total number of aces in the competition now stands at 112.
"As I said, this is my 12th time playing the par 3," Woodland said. "I've had some close calls. It was nice to see one go in. Nice to see my kids' reaction. They were so excited. I will say, my son making the putt on the last was more exciting for me than that ball going in."
With all the fun and all the preparations now in the books, it is time to get to the 88th playing of the Masters where another (slightly more meaningful) champion will be crowned.
Watch all four rounds of the 2024 Masters starting Thursday with Masters Live as we follow the best golfers in the world through Augusta National with Featured Groups, check in at the famed Amen Corner and see leaders round the turn on holes 15 & 16. Watch live on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app and Paramount+.
The First Cut crew alongside Joe Musso gives you one final preview ahead of the 88th Masters Tournament. Follow & listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.