Tiger Woods will play Masters Par-3 contest with his kids

The metamorphosis of Tiger Woods from guarded recluse to comfortable, easygoing jammer may be complete when Tiger Woods plays the annual Masters Par-3 contest with his two children on Wednesday at Augusta. Tiger’s kids also made an appearance on the range Tuesday afternoon.

This rather surprising news came from Woods’ old friend and 2015 Masters practice partner, Mark O’Meara. Woods then confirmed it during his 1 p.m. press conference.

“My two littles are going to be out there with me,” Woods said about his choices to caddie for him in the ceremonial tilt.

The contest, held on the eve of the actual Masters competition, is more like a beach party and BBQ for players, who often have their kids and spouses on the bag and taking shots for them. Last year, Caroline Wozniacki sported pink hair and the traditional Masters caddie jumpsuit as the tennis star handled the luggage for her then-fiance, Rory McIlroy.

(Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

There’s also a superstition -- borne out by time -- that the winner of the play date is jinxed and will not win the actual Masters tournament. Woods said he had no intention of finding out if the hex were real.

“I had an opportunity to [win] that once … I didn’t show up for the playoff, did I?” he recalled about a long-ago Par-3 stint. “No one’s ever done it. I don’t want to prove it wrong, so just want to have a good time.”

With that in mind, Woods apparently will join the family-friendly frivolity for the first time in 11 years, this time with daughter Sam and son Charlie. No word if girlfriend Lindsey Vonn will tag along. The last time he played the event 11 years ago, he finished with an ace.