The hex associated with winning the annual Par-3 Contest could not deter the 38-year-old from claiming the 41st championship in a one-hole playoff Wednesday. Perry's six-foot birdie putt on No. 8 of the Augusta National Golf Club's par-3 course, eliminated Jay Haas, Hunter Haas and Jerry Pate, a non-competing invitee.

No par-3 champion has ever won the Masters in the same year. Perry, who shot 4-under-par 23 in regulation, aimed for aces at every hole, unconcerned with the superstitions surrounding the victor.

``They can say what they want to about the jinx but I'm going to play as hard as I can,'' Perry said. ``It's part of the prestige of being inside the ropes of the Masters and being a part of history.''

The fifth-ranked money winner on last year's PGA Tour was presented with a crystal chalice for winning the 16th playoff in par-3 history.

Notah Begay III's ace of No. 9 was the shot of the day. Begay's tee shot dropped 12 feet behind the hole before spinning back into the cup. It was the 41st hole-in-one in par-3 history and Wednesday's lone ace.

The annual par-3 tournament was once again overflowing with toddlers caddieing and putting for their famous fathers. Lee Janzen's 6-year-old son, Connor, carried his bag. Nearly consumed by his oversized caddie uniform, Connor waddled his way around the course with his pant legs rolled up.

Australian amateur Aaron Baddeley shot even-par 27 with his mother, Jo-Ann, toting his eight-club bag.

``It was wonderful to get an inside view of the gallery,'' Jo-Ann Baddeley said. ``This will probably be the highlight of my time at the Masters.''

Skipping balls over DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike's Pond was a popular form of crowd amusement. Ben Crenshaw, Phil Mickelson and Begay offered their own lighthearted display at the completion of their round.

Following Begay's ace, Crenshaw borrowed one of Mickelson's left-handed clubs, missed the ninth green and sent a shot into Ike's pond. Begay did the same before Mickelson used a right-handed club with similar results.

``Ben and I play the par-3 as a tradition every year,'' said Mickelson, one of six players three-under-par. ``We do that just to switch it up, for no apparent reason.''