Masters 2025: Par 3 Contest, practice rounds, news, interviews from Wednesday

See how the week is playing out, leading into the start of the 89th Masters.

By
Golf Channel Staff,

By
Golf Channel Staff

Published April 9, 2025 12:14 PM EDT

DeChambeau focusing on course over competition

April 8, 2025 03:32 PM

Bryson DeChambeau addresses the media on the evolution of his approach at Augusta National, his focus of playing the golf course over the competition, tinkering his driver heads, and coming up from Northern California.

The 89th Masters Tournament gets underway Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club.

Here’s how the week is playing out in Augusta, Georgia, leading into the season’s first major championship, with one last day to practice as well at the Par 3 Contest.

Updates

POPPY MCILROY SINKS ONE

Poppy played this putt perfectly — and then she played it cool.

This is why everyone loves Wednesday of Masters Week.

Poppy McIlroy converts the lengthy putt on No. 9! #themasters pic.twitter.com/6Vfkfxm3v7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

Koepka makes the day’s third ace

Brooks Koepka will try to get over the hump at Augusta after two prior runner-up finishes. The good vibes started Wednesday with an ace on No. 6, the third of the Par 3 Contest.

Ace on No. 6! Brooks Koepka is the third competitor to card a hole-in-one during today's Par 3 Contest. #themasters pic.twitter.com/QcvGEHpeoC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

Par 3 Contest savant

Tom Hoge clearly knows what it takes to provide a thrill at the Par 3 Contest. The 2023 winner, who hit an ace on the 8th in that year’s contest, hit another on the 4th this time around.

Hole-in-one on No. 4 for Tom Hoge! Crystal incoming. #themasters pic.twitter.com/LD3GwQyvTr
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

First ace of the Par 3 Contest

Keegan Bradley nearly made one on the 16th in practice Wednesday but DID make one in the Par 3 Contest.

Cue the roars! Keegan Bradley makes a hole-in-one on No. 6. #themasters pic.twitter.com/5Ot4qIv3IG
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

Chairman Fred Ridley’s full press conference

Ridley dismisses direct exemption for LIV players

Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Tournament chairman Fred Ridley addresses pace of play initiatives, exemptions, golf's reunification, the state of the course after Hurricane Helene and more.

Team Scheffler

The Masters - Par Three Contest — AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 09: Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks with his wife, Meredith Scheffler, and son, Bennett Scheffler during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Slammin’ Sammy Spieth

Let it rip, Sammy Spieth. #themasters pic.twitter.com/oqTqIp2uSC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

Par 3 Contest time at ANGC

This won’t come as a surprise ...

Why Bryson DeChambeau hit nearly 150 more practice balls than any other Masters competitor on Tuesday

DeChambeau hit almost 400 practice balls on Tuesday at Augusta National Golf Club as he tried to iron out certain parts of his game.

Brentley Romine,

Brentley Romine,

Nearly an ace at the 16th for Captain Bradley

A sign of things to come? Keegan Bradley nearly aces No. 16 during his Wednesday practice round. #themasters pic.twitter.com/jDCmMc90m1
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

Interesting caddie development

Masters 2025: Justin Thomas using Max Homa’s former caddie at Augusta National

Thomas said his regular caddie hurt his back so Thomas needed a fill-in for the Masters.

Golf Channel Staff,

Golf Channel Staff,

Take a drive down Magnolia Lane with Sir Nick

It’s Par 3 Day! #Masters #MagnoliaLane #Augusta #Par3 pic.twitter.com/YiAN2KjYcY
— Sir Nick Faldo (@Sir_NickFaldo) April 9, 2025

Ripper hat, sport coat, mullet

The Masters - Practice Day Three — AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 09: Cameron Smith of Australia prepares to play his shot from the third tee during a practice round prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Wednesday’s weather at Augusta

Wednesday's weather bulletin from Augusta National Golf Club. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ceqjGBtyXM
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025

Can Bryson contend? Brandel with a definitive no

Videos, photos from Champions Dinner

Masters 2025: Champions Dinner photos, video from Tuesday night at Augusta National

Past Masters winners gathered Tuesday evening at Augusta National for the tournament’s annual Champions Dinner.

Golf Channel Staff,

Golf Channel Staff,

DeChambeau trying to figure out driver

DeChambeau focusing on course over competition

Getting golf nerdy and talking aliens with Hovland

Hovland: 'Juices are flowing' so far at Augusta

Viktor Hovland speaks to the media to discuss his preparation ahead of his sixth Masters appearance, why he is so open about his processes and maintaining an open mind, as well as insight surrounding his driver change.

Love requited?

Rory McIlroy has had his share of Masters — and major — heartbreak. Is this the year Augusta National finally gives back the love?@RexHoggardGC:https://t.co/3f3ycCX2gH
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) April 8, 2025

Nearly a practice-round ace by Justin Thomas at No. 16

Justin Thomas executes a precise tee shot on No. 16 during Tuesday's practice round. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ykuj3iE3oT
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2025

Lunch time

Tee times for Rds. 1 and 2

Masters 2025: First-round tee times, groupings at Augusta National

Tee times and groupings for the first round of the 89th Masters Tournament

Golf Channel Staff,

Golf Channel Staff,

Rahm on reunification in golf

“As far as I can tell and you guys can tell, it’s not happening anytime soon.”

‘Unfairly judged’

Jon Rahm said Tuesday that last year’s major performances were not indicative of his overall game.

After feeling ‘unfairly judged’ last year, Jon Rahm feeling ‘really, really good’ entering Masters

The 2023 Masters champion said he felt “unfairly judged” last year, based on how he fared in the major championships.

Ryan Lavner,

Ryan Lavner,

Rory McIlroy’s full Tuesday press conference at the Masters

McIlroy blocking out noise in Grand Slam chase

Rory McIlroy speaks to the media to discuss his resilience in dealing with setbacks, blocking out the noise in his chase for the career Grand Slam, and changing his approach to major championship play.

Rory on media and obligations

Q. Rory, Collin Morikawa caught some criticism at The Players for saying he owes the media nothing for having left Bay Hill early. You obviously caught some heat after doing that at Pinehurst. The conversation after something like that in comparison to other professional athletes, golfers can be a little more sensitive. I’m wondering if you think that’s a fair or unfair assessment.

RORY McILROY: Well, he’s right. Not that I think he could have worded it a little bit better, but look, every other athlete, whether it be in the NBA, NFL, they’re obligated to speak to you guys after a game. We’re not. Whether that’s something that the PGA TOUR looks to in terms of putting that into their rules and regulations, but as long as that’s not the case and we have that option to opt out whenever we want, expect guys to do that from time to time.

Some morning practice scenes from Augusta

Rory McIlroy, fairly well known

Rory McIlroy’s daughter is catching on to her father’s fame.

🎥 PGA Tour pic.twitter.com/HP18jEByrW
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 8, 2025

Champions Dinner is tonight

Here’s what past champs have served and what’s on the menu this evening:

Masters Tournament: What winners have served at the Champions Dinner

Here’s what recent Masters winners have chosen for their menus at the annual Champions Dinner at ANGC.

Golf Channel Digital,

Golf Channel Digital,

Expert picks and odds for the Masters

Masters 2025: Odds, favorites, predictions for Augusta National

Here are the betting favorites and some expert wager ideas for the first major of the season, the Masters Tournament.

Golf Channel Staff,

Golf Channel Staff,

In case you missed it last night

A great “9 shot” breakdown by Brandel Chamblee on why Scottie Scheffler is a two-time Masters champion:

1.25 inches of rain Monday

No match for Augusta National Golf Club’s SubAir system.

A lovely Tuesday in Augusta

The weather bulletin for Masters Tuesday. #themasters pic.twitter.com/adhU4aeJdP
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2025

Final Masters for Bernhard Langer

After missing last year’s event because of an Achilles injury, two-time Masters champion Langer will make his 41st and final start.

Langer: Final Masters start is 'bittersweet'

Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer speaks to the media to recount the journey around Augusta in his career and the "bittersweet" emotions ahead of his final start at Augusta National Golf Club.

Things eventually got better for O’Meara

O'Meara recounts first trip to No. 11 at Augusta

Mark O'Meara takes us back to his first trip around Augusta National Golf Club in 1980, specifically to the "intimidating" hole No. 11, and a wayward shot that had impacted the leaderboard.

Lucky numbers?

By the numbers: Jumpsuit numbers for every Masters champion’s caddie

Four caddie jumpsuit numbers have been a part of three Masters victories. Here is the year-by-year list.

Brentley Romine,

Brentley Romine,

Monday thoughts from Michael Kim

Augusta Diaries (Monday)
-I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do anything today but the rain stayed away for a while so I was actually able to practice a little bit.
-Had an omelet for breakfast with some great toast. 8.5/10
-My coach Sean was there and he was able to see…
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) April 7, 2025

The betting experts say ...

DeChambeau, Morikawa among Masters favorites

Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick run through their best bets for the 2025 Masters, including why they think Bryson DeChambeau or Collin Morikawa might be able to top favorite Scottie Scheffler.

Ranking the field, 1-95

2025 Masters: Ranking the entire 95-player field at Augusta National

Brentley Romine starts with No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and then ranks everyone behind him in the 2025 Masters field.

Brentley Romine,

Brentley Romine,

Tiger news at Augusta

Tiger Woods has been commissioned to design a nine-hole short course as part of Augusta National Golf Club's efforts at Augusta Municipal Golf Course, aka The Patch.

Woods' par-3 design will be called "The Loop at the Patch," with work expected to take about a year.

Meanwhile,… pic.twitter.com/T2Swj8XggA
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) April 7, 2025

History on the line this week for Ted Scott, too

If Scottie Scheffler wins a third Masters this week, it will mark caddie @jtedscott’s fifth time being on the bag for a green-jacket winner (he looped for both of Bubba Watson’s victories, too).

That would tie Scott for the Masters caddie record, equaling the five champions… pic.twitter.com/HO1QGyxwVQ
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) April 7, 2025

Rex & Lav’s pre-Masters top 10

McIlroy, Scheffler highlight Masters favorites

Before play starts at Augusta, Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner run through their top 10 favorites for the Masters, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and more.

Practice suspended at Augusta National