Rory McIlroy to skip Masters Par-3 Contest to avoid distraction

Rory McIlroy announced he will skip the Masters Par-3 Contest ahead of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National, citing it as a distraction as he pursues the career Grand Slam. McIlroy, who has competed in the Masters seven times with a best finish of fourth place in 2015, previously skipped the Par-3 Contest in 2011, the same year he won his first major at the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. No player has ever won the Par-3 Contest and the Masters in the same year since the contest began in 1960.