Augusta, GA – Ted Potter, Jr. emerged from a five-way tie atop the leaderboard to win the Par 3 contest at Augusta National on Wednesday.
Potter, three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Nick Watney and Matt Kuchar each shot a 4-under 23 to grab a share of the lead.
After Els and Watney were eliminated at the first playoff hole, Potter outlasted Mickelson and Kuchar in the second to take the traditional event.
It was the 19th playoff in the history of the contest.
Potter, who is making his first appearance at the Masters, will now try to become the first person to accomplish the daunting task of winning the Par 3 contest and the Masters in the same year.
Watney closed with a hole-in-one at the ninth hole to join the others atop the leaderboard. It was the 76th ace all time at this event. Ben Crenshaw later followed with a hole-in-one at the seventh.
Three-time Par 3 champion Padraig Harrington and Jerry Pate tied for sixth place a shot behind the leaders.
Bo Van Pelt was at 5-under with a hole to play, but had his caddy take his short putt attempt at the ninth to result in him posting a no-score and avoid the outright win.
Several other players joined Van Pelt in having their caddies -- often consisting of a child, spouse or other family member -- take a putt or chip for them to officially post a no-score.
The field included tournament participants, non-competing past champions and honorary invitees.
The Masters officially gets underway at 8:00 a.m. (et) Thursday when Sandy Lyle, John Peterson and Nathan Smith tee off.
Defending champion Bubba Watson will start his opening round alongside Ian Poulter and U.S. Amateur champ Steven Fox at 10:34 a.m., while Tiger Woods will start his pursuit of his fifth green jacket at 10:45 a.m.
Woods will be joined by Luke Donald and Scott Piercy.
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