Tommy Fleetwood’s son, Frankie (pictured), emerged as a standout figure at Wednesday’s annual Masters Par 3 Contest.
Gary Player, the three-time Masters champion, despite approaching his 91st birthday, exhibited remarkable energy at Augusta, relishing another opportunity to perform before the patrons.
Remy Scheffler, the two-week-old son of world number one Scottie Scheffler, was carried around the course by his mother, Meredith, in a baby carrier.
The presence of individuals representing the extremes of human life underscored that the Masters’ annual Par 3 Contest offers more than just wholesome, family-oriented entertainment.
It also highlighted golf’s unique ability to unite generations, a quality increasingly valuable in a leisure market saturated with competing sports and activities.
The sight of Player sinking birdie putts and celebrating by lifting a young fan, provided a striking contrast to nine-year-old Frankie Fleetwood’s focused determination to clear the water and reach the ninth green.
“I just think about the time span. That’s why our game is so incredible,” defending champion Rory McIlroy commented earlier in the week.
For the world’s leading golfers, few weeks on the calendar are as sensorially stimulating as the Masters – especially when contending for the Green Jacket.
The event underscored that the annual pilgrimage to Augusta National extends beyond stressing over fairway conditions and pin placements.
It’s about witnessing the stars relax on the eve of what could be the most pivotal week of their careers, radiating joy as they engage in a glamorous version of pitch and putt, accompanied by their partners and children clad in miniature Augusta caddie attire.
England’s Aaron Rai described it as “phenomenal” to top the leaderboard – even though history suggests winning the Par 3 Contest, which began in 1960, is no omen for success in the main event.
“I’m not sure if it’s a good omen or not,” Rai said, crediting his wife Gaurika – also a professional golfer – for her putting advice.
“A lot of people just enjoy this tournament for what it means for spending time with the family.”
Rai was correct. The event’s true essence lies in participation, not victory.
Last year, McIlroy’s daughter Poppy captured hearts by sinking a 30-foot putt as the stars unwound before the competition began on Thursday.
This year, Tommy Fleetwood’s son Frankie stole the show.
The Masters
9-12 April
Augusta National Golf Club
Live text commentary of rounds one and two from 12:30 BST, and rounds three and four from 17:00 BST.
Wolverhampton-born Rai won the Par 3 Contest with a six-under-par score of 21.
The galleries chanted the youngster’s name as he strived to fulfill a vow made 12 months prior: to clear the water with his tee-shot on the final ninth hole.
A year older, bigger, and stronger—and equipped with a custom-made club—he made it his mission to overcome what had become a personal obstacle.
“When I go on to the range I just think about this every single day,” Frankie said during one of numerous television interviews conducted during the round.
Described as a “chatterbox” by his father, Frankie demonstrated that he’s a chip off the old block—speaking confidently on camera, displaying a steely determination to succeed, and exhibiting a stylish swing.
Anticipation mounted as the Fleetwood family, alongside their friends the McIlroys and Lowrys, progressed to the ninth tee.
Young Frankie’s first attempt went wide right, and, after the Augusta patrons encouraged him to try again, his second attempt came closer but still landed in the water.
He walked off with Shane Lowry’s daughter Iris—who also came close to reaching the putting surface—offering a consoling arm around his shoulders.
“I think more than anything the pressure is on me to keep making the Masters until he reaches the green on the ninth,” said father Tommy, who this week continues his quest for a first major title after several top-five finishes.
Fleetwood fine-tuned his short game with a hole-in-one that elicited cheers from the patrons, while American trio Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, and Keegan Bradley also carded aces, further amplifying the entertainment.
Bradley, who captained the US team in their Ryder Cup defeat to Europe last year, became the first player in the competition’s 66-year history to record holes-in-one in consecutive years.
The noise within the galleries is likely to be matched this week as the sporting drama intensifies, but the chaos inside the ropes—toddlers sliding down bunkers and babies crawling across putting surfaces—will give way to the formality of the main event.
Father-of-five Jason Day jokingly described the occasion as “a circus,” while Clark added, “As a man with no kids I’ll say it’s great birth control but it’s a lot of fun.”
Celebrity stardust was provided by comedian Kevin Hart, who caddied for two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau, and former NFL star Jason Kelce, who served as a roving reporter on the course.
Their presence came hours after Augusta chairman Fred Ridley discussed the ongoing effort to balance “respecting tradition and innovating.”
Based on this evidence, the Par 3 Contest is navigating that balance effectively as the Masters strives to ensure its enduring relevance—and that of golf itself—for generations to come.
Gary Player, who first competed at the Masters in 1957, was accompanied by his great-grandchildren.
All the excitement became a bit too much for Jon Rahm’s son Kepa by the time they reached the ninth hole.
Even the players want photos at Augusta, with world number 25 Maverick McNealy snapping his wife Maya and daughter Adeline to mark his second appearance at the Masters.
Scottie Scheffler and his wife Meredith showcased their newly expanded family as two-week-old Remy joined his older brother Bennett at Augusta.
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