Masters 2016: Par 3 Contest live stream, how to watch online

There will be actual competitive golf on Wednesday at Augusta National, but it won’t be for the green jacket. Instead, players will tee it up in an event that most probably don’t want to win. The annual Par-3 Contest will take place on Wednesday, continuing the tradition that started in 1960, but no player has won the Par-3 Contest and the green jacket in the same year.

A couple of big names will be absent from the contest this year with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy both not playing. Woods, of course, will miss the entire Masters as he continues his recovery from recent back surgery. McIlroy has been a staple of recent Par-3 Contests, but he opted out this year. McIlroy said he decided not to play in the event this year to instead focus on the Masters, calling the Par-3 Contest a “bit of a distraction.” While the event is mostly just for fun, a late Par-3 Contest tee time, combined with an early first-round tee time on Thursday, can make for a less than ideal turnaround.

Although Woods and McIlroy will be absent this year, there will still be plenty to look forward to. Several legends will once again tee it up, headlined by the trio of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player. Nicklaus made an ace in the event last year, so fans will have to wait and see what he has in store for an encore.

A winner will eventually be crowned, but the contest is much more than that. Many players will intentionally avoid winning just so they don’t have to try and break the streak of winners who haven’t captured the green jacket. Instead, many just enjoy the time with their families and friends and either hit a couple of well-timed poor shots to stay off the lead or just hand the club over to a child or other attendee, rendering their score invalid.

Family will be a theme throughout the tournament. Many players bring small children along for the experience, some even serve as caddies. Others will get a few swings in. The greens at the Par-3 Contest are often a scene of fathers teaching and helping their children putt with plenty of support from the onlooking crowd.

ESPN and the Masters will again combine on Par-3 Contest coverage. ESPN’s television broadcast will begin at 3 p.m. ET. The main coverage will continue until 5 p.m. with bonus coverage from a special edition of SportsCenter following. Those not able to watch live on TV will be in luck since the coverage is also available online through both WatchESPN and Masters.com.

Here are your coverage details for the Par-3 Contest:

3 to 5 p.m. -- ESPN
5 p.m. -- SportsCenter at the Masters with continuing coverage/highlights

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