'Masters Hero' Nicklaus "Finished Playing in Par 3 Contest"..."Will Continue to Hit Shots~"

'Masters Hero' Jack Nicklaus teeing off on the first day of the Masters last year.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Participation in the Par 3 Contest ends."

On the 1st (Korean time), Golfweek in the United States reported, "Jack Nicklaus will no longer participate in the Par 3 Contest starting this year." This event is held on a dedicated Par 3 course near Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA, the battleground ahead of the 'Masters Tournament' opening. It was suspended for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is now resuming. Players bring their families as caddies, including wives, children, and grandchildren, with the adorable caddie outfits worn by young children being a highlight. There is even a fearsome superstition that "winning here means you cannot win the main tournament."

It is interesting that 82-year-old Nicklaus, who stopped participating in the Masters from 2005, consistently attended the Par 3 Contest. In 2018, his grandson Gary received extra spotlight for a hole-in-one on the 9th hole. Nicklaus recalled, "The Masters is the starting point of every major season," and "It is always enjoyable to stay at Augusta National, including the Champions Dinner." He explained, "I will continue to hit shots." Regarding Tom Watson joining as a new hitter, he welcomed him, saying, "It's great to be with a longtime friend."

Jack Nicklaus cheering during his 1975 Masters victory.

Nicklaus is a 'Masters hero' who wore the Green Jacket six times: in 1963, back-to-back in 1965-1966, 1972, 1975, and 1986. At just 26 years old, he won all four different major championships?the 1962 US Open, 1963 Masters and PGA Championship, and 1966 The Open?making him the fourth 'Career Grand Slam' winner in global golf history. He has 18 major wins, including four US Open titles, three Open Championships, and five PGA Championships.

These remain 'immortal records' to this day. Tiger Woods, the 'Golf Emperor' (also from the USA), is currently second with 15 major wins, reaching this milestone at the 2019 Masters. However, since his car accident last year, Woods has stepped away from the PGA Tour and is increasingly distant from breaking records. Nicklaus also finished runner-up in majors 19 times. With 73 PGA Tour wins, he ranks tied for third alongside Sam Snead (82 wins) behind Woods.

After winning the Masters in 1966, Nicklaus said, "I want to create another Masters," and developed Muirfield Village Golf Club near his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, founding the PGA Tour event known as The Memorial Tournament. Like The Masters Tournament, it excludes commercialism and even shares the same spelling structure. He has since worked to elevate it to major status, and it is now regarded as the 'fifth major.'