Keegan Bradley made Masters history on Wednesday — and this time, it had nothing to do with his PGA Championship victory or his Ryder Cup captaincy. Bradley became the first player in the 63-year history of the Par 3 Contest to make a hole-in-one in back-to-back years, adding another improbable chapter to one of golf’s most beloved pre-tournament traditions.
What Happened
During the annual Par 3 Contest at Augusta National on April 8, Bradley found the cup with a single stroke for the second consecutive year. The ace at the Par 3 Contest’s short course — a nine-hole layout built alongside Ike’s Pond — sent the gallery into a frenzy and immediately became the talking point of the Wednesday practice round festivities.
Bradley was not the only player to make an ace. The 2026 Par 3 Contest produced four holes-in-one total, with Aaron Rai eventually winning the event at 6-under par. But it was Bradley’s consecutive-year feat that captured the imagination of fans and fellow players alike.
The Par 3 Contest, which dates back to 1960, is famous for its relaxed atmosphere — players often have their children or spouses caddie for them, and the nine-hole round features some of the most photogenic holes at Augusta National. It is also famous for its supposed curse: no player has ever won both the Par 3 Contest and the Masters in the same year.
Why Bradley’s Streak Is Remarkable
To understand why back-to-back aces in the Par 3 Contest is so extraordinary, consider the numbers. The contest has been played nearly every year since 1960 — that is over six decades of the world’s best golfers hitting short iron shots at some of the most well-maintained greens on earth. In all that time, not a single player had managed to hole out twice in consecutive years.
The odds of a professional golfer making a hole-in-one on any given par 3 are roughly 1 in 2,500. But the Par 3 Contest is not a normal round — the holes are shorter, the players are relaxed, and there are nine chances per round. Even so, the probability of making an ace in both the 2025 and 2026 contests is extraordinarily small, which is precisely why it had never happened before.
Bradley’s feat is also notable because of who he is in 2026. At 39, the 2011 PGA Championship winner has enjoyed a career renaissance, anchored by his selection as 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. He brings a combination of experience and confidence to Augusta that makes him a dark horse contender for the green jacket — Par 3 Contest curse notwithstanding.
The Par 3 Contest Curse: Real or Superstition?
The most famous statistical quirk in golf endures: no player has ever won the Par 3 Contest and the Masters in the same week. The curse has held since 1960, surviving challenges from some of the greatest players in history. Multiple future Masters champions have won the Par 3 Contest — but never in the same year they won the tournament itself.
The practical explanation is simple: the Par 3 Contest rewards aggressive, pin-seeking play on short holes, while the Masters rewards patient course management and strategic positioning over 72 holes. A player who is dialed in for short-iron heroics on Wednesday may not have the tactical discipline to navigate Augusta’s treacherous greens over four rounds.
The superstitious explanation is more fun: Augusta’s ghosts simply will not allow it. Whatever you believe, the curse adds a delightful layer of intrigue to Bradley’s week. If he were to win the Masters after making aces in two consecutive Par 3 Contests, it would be one of the most statistically improbable achievements in golf history.
What This Means for Amateurs
Bradley’s ace streak, while unique to the Masters, offers some practical lessons for everyday golfers chasing their own first hole-in-one:
Commit to your target: Par 3 Contest aces happen because the world’s best players are swinging freely at flags without the pressure of tournament scoring. When you step onto a par 3 tee box, pick a specific target — not just “the green” — and commit fully to the shot. Indecision is the enemy of consistent ball striking.
Short irons are your ace clubs: Most holes-in-one happen with 8-irons through pitching wedges — the clubs that offer the best combination of distance control and spin. If you want to increase your chances, spend more practice time with these clubs and less with the driver. Your iron consistency matters more than your driver distance for making aces.
Play relaxed: The Par 3 Contest atmosphere is joyful and loose — and players perform brilliantly in it. There is a lesson in that for amateurs who tighten up on the course. Your best swings usually happen when you are having fun, not when you are grinding over every shot.
Key Takeaways
Keegan Bradley’s back-to-back Par 3 Contest aces may be the most statistically improbable achievement of the 2026 Masters week — and the tournament has not even started yet. Whether or not the Par 3 curse holds, Bradley has etched his name into Augusta National lore in a way that no other player in 63 years of the contest can claim. As Round 1 begins Thursday, all eyes will be on whether Bradley can channel that short-game magic into a genuine green jacket contention.
