Masters Par 3 Contest in Pictures: Here are 30 of the best photos from the traditional Augusta curtain-raiser before the serious business starts

The pros had fun in the sun with plenty of celebs, family members and former champions.

First played in 1934 the US Masters is the only one of golf’s four majors to always be played at the same venue - Augusta National Golf Course, in the American state of Georgia.

This year’s competition will be played from April 9-13 and is the first major of 2026.

Last year saw Rory McIlroy become only the sixth player to complete the career grand slam after winning a playoff against fellow Ryder Cup player Justin Rose.

But before the serious golfing business started there was a chance for players and their families to enjoy themselves in front of capacity galleries at the Par 3 Contest.

First held before the 1960 tournament, when three-time Masters champion Sam Snead triumphed, it’s now a firm tradition - played on a nine-hole, par-27 course in the northeast corner of the club's grounds.

It sees family memebrs caddie for the pros and often step in to play shots - remember Rory McIlroy’s four-year-old daughter, Poppy, sinking a 25-footer on the 9th green last year?

This year saw English golfer Aaron Rai triumph, although it’s something of a poisoned chalice given the winner has famously never gone on to claim victory in the tournament proper.

Here are 30 of the best pictures of the day.

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