Jason Kelce and Kevin Hart caddie — in full outfits — during Masters Par 3 Contest
Kelce served as an on-course reporter — and had a brief stint as a caddie for Akshay Bhatia at Augusta National. Hart made a splash by showing up as Bryson DeChambeau's caddie for the event.
If you thought the PGA Championship next month would be the extent of the Philadelphia and PGA crossover, think again.
The annual Masters Par 3 Contest took place Wednesday at Augusta National, and it had Philly flair to it.
From former Eagles center Jason Kelce as an on-course reporter to a surprise caddie appearance from another Philly celebrity, here’s everything we saw on ESPN’s live coverage.
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Kelce the caddie
Philly fans know about Kelce’s ability to dress for an occasion (e.g. a full Mummers costume for the Super Bowl parade). It should come as no surprise Kelce showed up in a caddie outfit for his walk on the greens.
What was even less surprising was Kelce combining a pimento grilled cheese with egg salad and the “sandwiches eaten” counter that accompanied him.
But Kelce wasn’t just eating and interviewing, he also had a brief stint as a caddie for golfer Akshay Bhatia and took a swing himself, hitting the ball over the green.
Just a note to Kelce: The force it takes to go up against an opposing team’s defense is a little different from the force it takes to hit a golf ball.
Go Bird(ie)s
Where Kelce goes, Eagles talk usually follows. And even the Masters’ exclusive grounds weren’t able to defend against the Tush Push. Or, rather, the mention of it.
While lining up a shot for Bhatia, Kelce said he felt “really good” about the putt.
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“Just give it a little Tush Push,” Kelce said.
But Kelce’s caddying didn’t have the same success rate. The putt failed to go in and Kelce took full responsibility for it.
And the Eagles conversations didn’t stop there. Jordan Spieth, a known Dallas Cowboys fan, made sure to throw a dig in while keeping his son Sully from trying to play with Kelce’s microphone.
“It’s got Eagles all over it so we don’t want it,” Spieth said.
An unlikely duo
Kelce wasn’t the only caddie bringing a little bit of Philly to Augusta. Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 and 2024 U.S. Open champion, brought actor and comedian Kevin Hart to caddie for him.
“I am not Kevin Hart the global superstar today,” Hart said. “Today, I am Bryson’s caddie.”
DeChambeau said he and Hart had spoken a lot about golf recently. Hart has gotten into the sport over the last several months.
When asked if he’d be seen showing off his own swing, Hart joked it was dependent on DeChambeau’s performance.
“Naturally if he’s not doing what I ask or require, then I step in and I do the job myself,” Hart said.
And he did, faring worse than Kelce with a shot that landed just a few feet out, straight into the water.
Advice from ‘friends’
The Masters Par 3 Contest wasn’t Kelce’s first golf attempt after an appearance as a guest commentator for ESPN during Tomorrow’s Golf League coverage.
But the Masters is “a tradition unlike any other” so naturally Kelce needed some advice.
Kelce and his brother Travis had legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz and golfer John Daly on their New Heights podcast. Kelce was able to get some advice from Nantz, who has been the voice of the Masters over four decades.
Nantz told Kelce that for an event like the Par 3 Contest when many caddies are family members of the players, the only questions necessary are about the caddies and the golfer’s preparation ahead of Thursday.
“This is a feel-good event, and you’re going to be the right guy to do that,” Nantz said.
With Kelce’s Masters debut and the Par 3 Contest behind us, the only thing left to do is for Nantz to issue his signature “Hello friends” greeting during Thursday’s opening round.