No matter whether you’re a contestant or a fan, everyone seems to have their own Masters tradition.
It could be as simple as playing the Par-3 contest or skipping it across the pond at 16. But part of what makes the Masters so special to so many of us is it is the same course every year and we know it like the back of our hand and we count the days until the week of the Masters in April so that we can enjoy all the things that make the Masters matter to us. To each his own, right? Here’s a list of traditions unlike any other for more than two dozen pros.
Keegan Bradley
Now, with my family, it is getting excited for the par-3. This year, one of the first things I talked about is how my 2-year-old Cooper is going to be able to go in the par 3. It’s a special thing for families.
Sam Burns
Last year was my first as a player but growing up Masters Sunday we’d go to church and get on the couch as soon as the TV coverage started for the final round.
Stewart Cink
It’s pretty lame, but just driving over. I don’t get to drive to many tournament, just taking I-20 from our home in Atlanta. It’s so anticipatory. And every year I’m like the last one to register on Monday afternoon. If there’s 90 people, I’m 89.
Corey Conners
I play a practice round with Mike Weir every year.
Harris English
We rent a house for family and friends. Living three hours from Augusta and having gone to school at Athens [Georgia], it’s one of the tournaments where I look in the crowd and see a bunch of familiar faces.
Tony Finau
I usually have family with me and we get a house and a chef for the week and give him a menu of items we like to eat. We like to eat good. Last year, we had about 12 with us and we’re anywhere between 10-15. I try to play nine holes Monday-Wednesday and do the Par 3. I love it. The other is we’ll hit Waffle House two or three times during the week.
Matt Fitzpatrick
I like to play the par-3 tournament. I’ll never miss that.
Max Homa
Four of my friends come with me. It’s nice to have them there. We play board games at the house and it’s really fun. That never happens in a normal week.
Tommy Fleetwood
Family is there. It usually coincides with one of my stepson’s birthday so we always have breakfast in the library.
Jim Furyk
We rented a home for a week and always had a bunch of friends come by. It wasn’t the same ones every year. We always brought people in because it’s such a unique experience and it’s so hard to attend the Masters. It was a way to bring folks we really care about together.
Billy Horschel
Playing the par-3 tournament with my wife and kids.
Trevor Immelman
There have been a few over the years; the most recent is drinking and enjoying some good bourbon with Adam Scott at the Champions Dinner.
Viktor Hovland
Skipping it across the pond at 16 during practice rounds.
Zach Johnson
If I don’t play the week before, I take a guest and always buy that individual a tie. My wife and I try to make the week ultra-special and have a chef from back home who cooks for us every night.
Matt Kuchar
I’m one of the last players to arrive on Tuesday midday and try to get one of the last par-3 times.
Collin Morikawa
I watched as much of it as I could growing up.
Gary Player
My first Masters was in 1957 and my father wrote to Clifford Roberts after I won a tournament in England inquiring about an invitation. He replied, “Pack your bags.” I had heard so much about the ethos of Augusta National, so when I arrived, I got out of the car at the top of Magnolia Lane and walked down to the clubhouse taking it all in. I still make that walk every year to show my gratitude.
Jon Rahm
We always rent a house in the same neighborhood because we like it.
Adam Scott
As a past champion, I’m allowed to bring a guest and I play with my dad the Sunday beforehand.
Jordan Spieth
Monday afternoon, I normally have a whiskey with (caddie) Michael (Greller) in the Champions locker room on the upstairs balcony.
Kevin Streelman
Growing up it was me and dad’s thing. I was eight years old watching the first one in 1986 when Jack won. We’ve done pimento cheese at home. We’ve gone to Brian Urlacher’s and he sends out invitations and does a green jacket ceremony for the winner of his backyard par-3 course and mini putt-putt.
Justin Thomas
I usually invite three of my best buddies to come. Unfortunately, with our age and life changing they can’t always come but I ask them.
Gary Woodland
I like to get there early and get my work in early to make the week a little less stressful than it can be. It’s a nice week because it’s the one week that I have the whole family in the house. I look forward to that. Outside of that, the Par 3 Contest is the only thing I do the same every year.
Will Zalatoris
Having dinner with my wife the day before we leave.
