The 2026 Masters Par 3 Contest kicked off with a moment of pure magic, courtesy of Justin Thomas. Playing in the prestigious event's first group alongside friends and fellow stars Max Homa and Jordan Spieth, Thomas electrified the Augusta National patrons by draining a hole-in-one on the contest's second hole.

With a perfectly struck knockdown wedge, his ball landed on the green, took three hops, and spun back decisively into the cup. The immediate celebration wasn't just about the ace; Thomas turned to his playing partners and flashed a classic "money" gesture with his hands, hinting at a friendly wager made good.

When asked about the moment by ESPN's Scott Van Pelt, Thomas played up the rivalry with a grin: "I probably enjoyed that shot a lot more than Jordan and Max did. Maybe 1,000 times more than they did." It was the perfect, playful start to one of golf's most beloved traditions, setting a high bar for fun and excitement for the rest of the day.