Augusta National Replaces Par 3 Contest with Masters Pickleball Invitational

For decades, Masters week has begun with one of golf’s most beloved traditions: the Par 3 Contest at Augusta National Golf Club, a relaxed Wednesday afternoon where legends, families, and the occasional toddler-caddie stroll around the nine-hole course.

But beginning this year, that tradition is officially being replaced.

In a move that stunned the golf world, Augusta National announced it will replace the Par 3 Contest with the inaugural Masters Pickleball Invitational.

The Announcement

The news appeared quietly on the Masters website late Monday night under the headline:

“A Tradition Unlike Any Other… Now Featuring Paddles.”

According to the announcement, the club believes pickleball better captures the spirit of competition, community, and slightly awkward athleticism that defines modern sport.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley addressed the change during a brief press conference.

“Of all the traditions at the Masters, none has been more endearing than the Par 3 Contest,” Ridley said. “But after careful consideration, we determined it pales in comparison to the sheer thrill of watching two amazing athletes battle it out over a 34-inch net with a plastic wiffle ball.”

Ridley added that the decision was unanimous among club leadership.

“Once we saw the growth numbers for pickleball, the decision was obvious. We either adapt… or risk falling behind the local retirement communities.”

New Courts, New Traditions

Augusta National has been quietly acquiring property surrounding the club for years.

While most assumed those purchases were intended for additional parking, hospitality suites, or perhaps another putting green, it turns out the club had bigger plans.

Last fall, Augusta National purchased a nearby elementary school which has since been demolished to make room for six championship pickleball courts, concession stands and merchandise tents.

Club officials confirmed that the new facility—referred to internally as the “Magnolia Paddle Pavilion”—was designed with the same attention to detail that defines every corner of Augusta National. 

According to Augusta officials, the Masters Pickleball Invitational will follow a doubles format featuring 16 teams of Masters competitors paired with either family members, caddies, or fellow professionals. Ridley noted that while the event is intended to maintain the lighthearted spirit of the former Par 3 Contest, it will still embody the club’s commitment to competitive excellence.

Not surprisingly, betting markets reacted quickly to the announcement. Within hours, major sportsbooks began posting odds for the inaugural event. Early lines from FanDuel list Scottie Scheffler as the favorite, with speculation already turning to whether the long-standing “curse” of Par 3 Contest winners never capturing a green jacket in the same year might carry over to the Pickleball Invitational.

Augusta National officials also confirmed that traditional Masters concessions—including the iconic pimento cheese sandwich—will remain available at the new venue, though an additional item, the “Paddle Melt,” is expected to debut exclusively during Wednesday’s festivities.

Ridley concluded the announcement by emphasizing that the club remains deeply committed to preserving the spirit of Masters week.

“The Par 3 Contest has brought joy to generations of patrons and players alike,” Ridley said. “The Masters Pickleball Invitational simply represents the next chapter in a tradition unlike any other.”

Tickets for the Masters Pickleball Invitational will be awarded through Augusta National’s customary lottery system, ensuring thousands of fans can once again take part in one of golf’s most enduring traditions: receiving their annual rejection notice.