ESPN Golf Online news services
 Thursday, April 6
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Chris Perry will be the next player to challenge the great Par 3 Contest jinx after winning the annual event Wednesday with a birdie on the first playoff hole on Augusta National's nine-hole course.

Perry was tied at 4-under par with Jay Haas, Jerry Pate and Hunter Haas before claiming the dubious title with his birdie at No. 8.

None of the previous 40 winners of the contest has ever gone on to win The Masters.

Notah Begay III posted the only hole-in-one of the afternoon, acing the ninth hole -- the 41st hole-in-one made in the contest that was ushered into the Masters week tradition in 1960.

Wonderful weather
Forecasters gave Masters officials the best news possible: almost perfect conditions for Thursday's opening round.

High temperatures were expected to reach 78 degrees, with no chance of rain.

Winds could gust to 15 mph out of the west, making club selection a little dicey. Winds also should dry out the fast greens, helping to protect Augusta National's par 72.

By the numbers
A starting field of 95 players will tee off in Thursday's first round.

The field includes 14 first-time players. There are five first-time amateurs.

The international field consists of 32 professionals and three amateurs, representing 19 countries.

The first two rounds will be played in groups of three to speed play. Scores will determine pairings on the third and fourth rounds.

Divots
  • This an emotional week for Arnold Palmer. It's the first time in 45 years he will play in The Masters without his wife, Winnie, who died in November. "It's always a very special week for Arnold but I know it will be difficult," said longtime business adviser Doc Giffin. Palmer, a four-time champion, hasn't been able to talk about Winnie this week, choking back tears when asked about her.

  • The first Korean to play at The Masters, Sung Yoon Kim, will be the second-youngest player ever to tee it up at Augusta. Tommy Jacobs was 17 years and two months old when the 1952 Masters opened. Kim is 17 years and 10 months old. Kim earned an invitation for being the runner-up to David Gossett in the 1999 U.S. Amateur.

  • Scalpers were asking $300 per ticket for Wednesday's practice round and Par 3 tournament.

  • Byron Nelson will strike the ceremonial first ball on Thursday, followed by Sam Snead. The late Gene Sarazen will be honored before Thursday's round. Sarazen, who died shortly after the 1999 Masters, usually joined Nelson and Snead for the ceremonial first ball.


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