Masters Par 3 Contest: Rai wins, Team Fleetwood star and McIlroy talks Champions dinner

Aaron Rai claimed victory in the traditional Masters Par 3 Contest, but as ever at Augusta National, the midweek event was defined by family moments, as well as a glimpse into Rory McIlroy’s first Champions Dinner.

Competing in only his second Masters, Rai surged early to post a six‑under‑par 21, finishing one clear of Jacob Bridgeman and John Keefer. The Englishman played alongside former Masters champions Patrick Reed (2018) and Jon Rahm (2023), which was an experience he described as “phenomenal”.

“The experience was phenomenal,” he said. “We shared the round with Patrick Reed and Jon Rahm, who had their family and kids out. I was there with my wife as well. Yeah, just a lovely day.

“Definitely didn't expect to play quite as well as I did. But my wife was incredible. She read my putts for me. She plays herself. So, yeah, really good teamwork. I'm not sure if it's a good omen or not. But yeah, just really nice to play well, enjoy it and, yeah, just share the experience with my family.”

In what has become a tradition for the players and their families, the children stole the show on Wednesday afternoon.

Few drew more attention than Tommy Fleetwood’s eight year old son Frankie, who became a breakout star last year and returned (with much media interest) with a mission of finally clearing the water on the ninth and reaching the green.

Before Frankie’s moment arrived, it was Tommy who delivered the fireworks, making the fourth hole‑in‑one of the afternoon. “I hadn’t hit a green yet until that one,” Fleetwood laughed afterwards.

When the ninth tee came, Frankie watched both older brothers clear the water before taking his own swing at the 135‑yard shot. His first attempt found Ike’s Pond, but the crowd urged him to try again. Following Shane Lowry’s daughter, Iris, the pair both played second shots, but again they finished short.

“The Masters is a great Tournament, the par 3 is my favorite and probably this is my favourite hole,” Frankie said afterwards. “I nearly got it, a few inches maybe.”

Playing alongside Fleetwood and Lowry was defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy, fresh from hosting his first Champions Dinner on Tuesday night. The Northern Irishman said the evening left him feeling “grateful”.

“Honestly, how lucky I am that I get to be a part of that group," he said of what he took from the dinner.

"It's not lost on me. I said it in the room last night, but all of us in that room were the envy of the sports world last night. Everyone else would love to be in that room, and I certainly don't ever want to take it for granted.

“I tried to treat it as if it was the only time I would host a dinner. Hopefully it's not. But if it is, I tried to do it the right way, and I just hope everyone had a great night.

“I said I could recall within reason a lot of different shots from each of their wins, and I wanted to convey how grateful I was to be there.

“It's a pretty big responsibility. It's most of the greatest players that have ever played. There were a couple of guys that were missing. It's quite intimidating. An incredible evening, and obviously can't wait to be a part of it for years to come.”

The menu drew rave reviews, with Scottie Scheffler praising the sticky toffee pudding and Jordan Spieth calling it “one of the best dinners we’ve had”.

Alongside McIlroy and others who spoke, Adam Scott shared that he also delivered an impromptu speech, reflecting on McIlroy’s journey and how closely the champions had followed his pursuit of the Green Jacket.

“I didn't really have anything prepared,” Scott said. “It wasn't planned. So I don't know if there was a theme at all. But I just spoke about the first time I played with Rory, flashed through his journey and just felt like I think all the champions were watching him trying to win last year, hearts up in their throat living every bit of it with him because they've all gone through something like that.

“And Rory spoke so well and expressed what it means to him. And I just felt like it was nice to acknowledge that, that we share that with him, and proud to have him in the Masters club.”

With the Par 3 Contest complete, McIlroy now turns his attention to Thursday's opening round, where he will tee off alongside Cameron Young and US Open Amateur Champion Mason Howell.