Jack Nicklaus Shares Unfortunate News Ahead of the Masters

The 2022 Masters is just an arm’s length away. It will be the first major championship of the 2022 season and with it comes probably one of the most exciting contests, the par 3. However, just before the start of the challenge next week, Jack Nicklaus came out with disheartening news regarding his participation in the competition.

The Par 3 Contest at the Augusta National Golf Club returns after a two-year break due to Covid 19 norms. Moreover, the contest will take place at Augusta on April 6th, one day before the start of the major event on April 7th. However, this year a prominent face of golf and probably one of the best professionals of all time, Golden Bear, will not be a part of the contest. Jack has played in every Masters from 1959-till 2005 except in 1999 and 2002.

Jack Nicklaus and his fondness for Par 3 contest

The 18-time major championship winner has fond memories of the par 3 contest. His grandson Gary G.T. Nicklaus Jr. carded an ace during the 2019 contest on the par 3 eighth hole. It is the last par 3 contest that Jack featured in. In an interview with Golfweek, Nicklaus revealed him not taking part in the 2022 par 3 contest. However, the 82-year-old will be a part of Augusta’s opening tee shot ceremony on April 7th.

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He said, “It certainly is the start of the major championship season. Even though I don’t play anymore, it’s fun to be there. It’s fun to go to the Masters dinner. I’m done with the Par 3, but toward the end of my career, I used to play every year. But I just can’t play anymore.”

He added, “And then there is the honor of hitting the opening tee shot alongside Gary Player. Now, with the addition of our good friend, Tom Watson, that will be nice. I enjoy seeing everybody. It’s like a reunion.” 

The disappointing news regarding Jack not playing will break the hearts of every golf fan. But still, they can see him at the opening tee shot.

All you want to know about the par 3 contest at Augusta National

The par 3 contest is traditionally held on Wednesday before the start of the major event. The event includes all the family members; wives, girlfriends, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of the tournament participants and past champions caddying for the professionals. They are dressed in Augusta National jumpsuits. The inaugural par 3 contest took place in 1960, with Sam Snead emerging as the inaugural competition winner.

The participants play a shot nine-hole layout on the northeast side of the golf course with holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards. Moreover, the contestant with the best score close to par after nine holes is declared the winner. However, up until now, no winner of the par 3 contest has gone on to win the Masters in the same year. Maybe this record will get broken at the 2022 Masters.

What do you think about the sad news regarding Nicklaus’ participation?

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