At Augusta National, tradition is celebrated, and the Masters Par-3 Contest is a perfect example. Held on the Wednesday before the main Masters, the event leans into a lighter, more personal side of the game, with players often joined by family members. The nine-hole, par-27 course, crafted in 1958 by George Cobb and Clifford Roberts, first welcomed participants and their families in 1960, creating a relaxed and joyful prelude to the high-stakes competition that follows. However, Bryson DeChambeau may have upset fans by not following the tradition.

The golfer brought actor and comedian Kevin Hart to caddie for him instead of a family member. And it didn’t sit well with online golf fans. The news gained traction after a post from Golf.com on X showed Hart receiving a lesson from DeChambeau on the range.

“Kevin Hart is currently getting a golf lesson from Bryson DeChambeau on the range at Augusta National. 😂,” the post read.

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If not family members, professionals often bring along their girlfriends. For instance, Wyndham Clark brought his long-time girlfriend, Alicia Bogdanski, and even scored a hole-in-one. He did the same last year, too. Bryson DeChambeau, however, took it a step further by inviting Kevin Hart to caddie for him. The golfer insisted that the actor Hart would tee off on the ninth hole, despite the fact that Hart only started playing golf less than a year ago.

“I can’t wait to see him hit that shot on number nine,” DeChambeau mentioned. “He’s a stud. He’s not worried about it one bit. I think he’s gonna hit like a nine or eight iron.”

Further, Clark, who was helping out on the broadcast, questioned DeChambeau whether Hart would use kids’ clubs. Answering that, DeChambeau said:

“Oh dude, oh yeah, geez, that’s wrong. No, no, he’s got some nice PXGs for him, and he’s gonna smoke up there right next to the hole if he makes a hole one, though, I can guarantee you something crazy is gonna happen.”

Unfortunately, Kevin Hart hit the ball into the pond.

But was it really surprising seeing them together? The golfer has never really followed the traditional path. Whether it was his much-talked-about jump to LIV Golf, his expanding presence on YouTube, or the meticulous, hands-on way he designs and builds his own clubs from the ground up, he has consistently carved his own path. So, seeing him with Hart was not really surprising, especially considering their recent collaboration.

The duo’s appearance stems from their prior collaboration in Bryson DeChambeau’s “Caddie Talk” YouTube series. Last September, that video amassed over 3.6 million views in 6 months. It became one of the most-viewed videos on the American professional’s YouTube channel because of the entertainment factor.

Hart’s humorous side was on full display in the video. Thus, the LIV golfer might have thought to bring the same energy to the 2026 Masters Par-3 Contest. Yet, while some fans enjoyed the crossover moment, others saw it as a step too far for an event steeped in tradition.

Fans slam Bryson DeChambeau as tradition debate intensifies

One fan didn’t hold back, writing, “Leave the internet personalities at home. I think I speak for EVERYONE when I say Bryson DeChambeau is ruining the prestige of the Masters tournament.”

As noted earlier, the Masters Par-3 Contest for many professionals and fans alike is about tradition and family. Therefore, many patrons saw it as a disrespect to this tradition. On the contrary, though, DeChambeau seemed way too excited. Sadly, Hart still failed to meet expectations, as he sent his shot into the water on the ninth hole, which only riled up fans more. “Embarrassing,” a fan wrote.

Some comments tied their frustration directly to DeChambeau’s association with LIV Golf. “Another horrible effect of Bryson DeChambeau on golf. Please kick all the LIV guys out of The Majors already,” a user wrote.

DeChambeau has a rather scientific approach to golf. The 2x major champion bulks up for power, follows a single-plane swing, and has a data-driven approach. But many think that this takes away the artistic element from golf. His association with LIV Golf further intensified the scrutiny on his non-traditional approach.

“Any goodwill Bryson has earned over the past years has just been flung out of the window for bringing Kevin Hart to the Masters,” one fan wrote.

DeChambeau’s move to the Saudi-backed league for a reported $125 million contract had tarnished his public image significantly. However, he still managed to earn some goodwill in recent years because of his YouTube move and consistent performance.

Fans praised his post-LIV resilience, as he was one of the very few LIV golfers who maintained their major form or improved. His 2024 US Open victory over Rory McIlroy even earned him the label of “People’s Champion.” He also posted an impressive T5 finish at the 2025 Masters. Now, all that might be gone.

“Augusta will have a word from him on this lol. It’s kinda cool he’s caddying for him in the par 3, you can have anyone caddie for you. His using the tournament practice facility is probably beyond what they’d like,” a social media user wrote.

The comment is a reminder that there is no rule requiring professionals to bring family members to caddie for them at the Masters Par-3 contest. It has just become a norm. For instance, JJ Spaun’s daughter, Emerson Lili; Sergio Garcia’s son, Enzo Garcia; Jon Rahm’s daughter, Alaia; Scottie Scheffler’s son, Bennett; and many more children have flooded Augusta National for the Masters Par-3 Contest.

Moreover, Bryson DeChambeau is not the only one to bring celebrities. Akshay Bhatia also asked NFL offensive lineman Jason Kelce to carry his bag for a bit. But it’s the fact that Hart even got the opportunity to swing the sticks a bit at the Tournament Practice Area, with DeChambeau giving him some pointers, that might not sit well with the officials.