Rory McIlroy will not play in the 2016 Masters Par-3 contest.
McIlroy told several U.K. publications on Monday that he will not play in the Wednesday tradition at Augusta National for the first time since 2011.
"It's just too much hassle and it's a bit of a distraction," McIlroy said.
The world No. 3 is looking for a first Masters title which would complete the career Grand Slam. McIlroy last won a major at the 2014 PGA Championship, marking the second of two majors in row that summer after winning his first Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
The last time McIlroy didn't play in the Par-3 Contest was 2011, which, you'll recall, was when McIlroy melted down in the final nine holes of the tournament. However, McIlroy isn't concerned about the triple-bogey 7 on the 10th that undid his chances so much as encouraged by the four-stroke lead he carried into the final round that year.
"The year I had my best chance at Augusta, 2011, I didn't play the Par-3 Contest," McIlroy said. "So maybe the decision not to play it this year can work in my favor."
The Ulsterman's choice to avoid the Par-3 Contest may also have something to do with the curse of winning the competition. No player who has won the Par-3 Contest on Sunday has ever gone on to slip on a green jacket that Sunday.
