( CNN ) -- It is a well known fact in golf -- nobody who wins the Par 3 contest at Augusta goes on to win the Masters in the same week . Ryan Moore will be the latest man who trying to avoid the curse after carding a six-under 21 to win the competition Wednesday . U.S. star Moore , whose best finish at Augusta came in 2005 in 13th , finished two shots clear at the top of the leaderboard . `` I 'm not afraid of it , '' he told reporters after being asked about the curse . `` You never know , someone has got to break that curse at some point in time , so hopefully it 's me . `` It was fun having my boy out there and playing a round with a couple of friends . That 's what it 's for , to kind of make you relax a little bit and just go and enjoy yourself the afternoon before . '' The idea for the Par 3 Contest was the brainchild of Clifford Roberts , a former chairman and co-founder of Augusta . Sam Snead won the first competition in 1960 and it has since become an integral part of the lead up to the Masters . Players invited their wives , girlfriends , mothers and children to caddy for them Wednesday as traditions were maintained . Rory McIlroy , who is one of the favorites for the title , allowed tennis star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki to carry his bags for the day . Elsewhere , several babies were seen on greens as crowds flocked to see Jack Nicklaus , Gary Player and Arnold Palmer in action . The real action begins Thursday at 7.45am local time with Stuart Cink of the U.S. getting proceedings underway alongside South Africa 's Tim Clark . Defending champion Adam Scott goes out in the 16th group with Jason Dufner and English amateur Matthew Fitzpatrick . McIlroy , who is aiming for a third major , goes out next with Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed .
Ryan Moore wins Par 3 competition at Augusta . Moore shot a six - under 21 to win competition . Nobody who has won competition has gone on to win at Augusta . The hopefuls enjoy time with families ahead of opening day .