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Nicolas Echavarria of Colombia lifts the Par-3 contest trophy following a playoff with JJ Spaun before the start of the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save AUGUSTA, Ga. — Masters Chairman Fred Ridley on Wednesday used the pulpit of his annual pre-tournament news conference to urge more action toward reunification between professional golf’s warring parties, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
“I’m not really in a position to say what form that should take as far as how the two organizations should come together, or what legal structure that may be, or what the financial aspects of that may be,” Ridley said. “What I am doing is encouraging cooperation and trying to figure out a way to get something done, regardless of what the structure of it is, to where everyone can play together again.” The Masters is now one of only four times a year PGA Tour and LIV players compete against each other along with the other majors: the PGA Championship, the U.
S. Open and the British Open. “I think we all agree that four times a year is not enough to have the great players of the game together,” Ridley said.
LIV CEO attends In a significant move, Augusta National Golf Club has invited LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil to attend this year’s Masters, something it did not do with former LIV CEO and co-founder Greg Norman . Ridley said he did not have specific plans to meet with O’Neil this week, but added “I know that we will have some discussions.” Echavarria wins Par-3 If Nicholas Echavarria is the Masters champion on Sunday night, remember he’s also the man to break the Par-3 jinx.
The Colombian golfer beat The Players' runner-up JJ Spaun in a two-hole playoff to win Wednesday’s Par-3 contest, a fun tuneup to the Masters tournament played on Augusta National’s picturesque nine hole par-3 course. They tied at 5-under par, just two of 19 golfers to turn in a score. Most players end up not completing their round because they let a family member, caddie or even a patron from the gallery take a shot or make a putt.
Since it started in 1960, no one has ever won the Par-3 contest and the Masters in the same year, giving rise to the notion of a “jinx.” New voice at 16 Long-time commentator and former professional golfer Frank Nobilo takes over broadcasting from Augusta National’s 16th hole at this year’s Masters, replacing legendary announcer Verne Lundquist . Lundquist called the action at 16 from 2000-24, including Tiger Woods’ chip-in back in 2005, one of the most famous shots in Masters history.
“It’s Verne’s chair,” Nobilo told Golfweek on Tuesday. “I’m just keeping it warm.” Nobilo, 64, who played in four Masters from 1995-98, will also call action on holes 2, 7 and 11.
Lundquist, 84, who resides in Colorado, said he will not attend this year’s tournament. Mower math Ever wondered what lengths grass is cut at Augusta National? The Masters released these stats Tuesday: • Fairways: 3/8ths of an inch • Second cut (primary rough): 1 3/8th inches • Greens: 1/8th inch • Green collars: 1/4th inch • Tee boxes and green surrounds: 5/16ths inch The last word “If you’re not ready by now you don’t really have a chance.” — Rory McIlroy during Wednesday's Par-3 contest.
