Two Canucks share Masters Par 3 Contest Title
A Masters tradition was renewed on Wednesday when after being canceled for two years because of the pandemic, the beloved Par 3 Contest returned to Augusta.
It may not be the green jacket they travelled to Augusta National for, but a pair of Canadian golfers have already won at the 2022 Masters.
Sarnia's (Brights Grove) hometown hero Mike Weir and Hamilton's Mackenzie Hughes were declared this year's co-champions) of the traditional Par 3 Contest held the day before the golf major tees off.
The calm before the storm
There is no tournament in the world more stressful than the Masters. Many players feel the Par 3 is a light-hearted way of reducing stress and preparing mentally for what comes next.
Due to weather concerns, play was halted before all golfers could finish their rounds, leaving Hughes and Weir in the lead at 4-under on the day.
The only other tie in the Masters Tournament Par 3 history, was in 2003 when Padraig Harrington and David Toms shared the title.
The 2003 edition of the tournament was a memorable one for Weir. Canadians across the country vividly recall where they were the moment Mike Weir won his green jacket. It is the only time one of the famous green jackets has come back to Canada. It is the highest-profile achievement for a Canadian golfer to this day.
The pair are joined by a third Canadian, Listowel's Corey Connors, who will be looking to build on back-to-back top-ten finishes at the major.
As for Weir and Hughes’ quests to capture the country's second Masters title, history won’t be in their favour.
Since the Par 3 tournament’s debut in 1960, no player has won both titles in the same year. Come Sunday, they'll be looking to change that.
About The Par 3 Contest Title
The original idea for the Par 3 Contest came from Augusta National Chairman Clifford Roberts. He conceived of it as a potentially distinctive pre-Tournament attraction, but not everyone shared his vision. Roberts had to overcome resistance from within the ranks of the Club's members, some of whom derided the notion of a "Tom Thumb course." Little did they know what a cherished tradition the Par 3 Contest would one day become.
The Par 3-Contest Returns