Par-3 Contest awaits patrons

A chilly but sunny morning is greeting patrons as they arrive for the final day of practice rounds at Augusta National Golf Club.

The Par-3 Contest will begin at 1 p.m. this afternoon, and most of the 97 competitors entered in the 78th Masters are expected to participate.

The big draw this afternoon will be the Big Three, who typically play the Par-3 together. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have a combined 13 Masters titles between them, and they will hit the ceremonial tee shots before the tournament begins Thursday morning.

Masters and Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne will deliver his "State of the Masters" address at 11 this morning.

A handful of players are already on the course this morning, including former champions Bubba Watson and Mark O'Meara.