Masters Par 3 Tournament 2016: Date, Live Stream Info and Preview

The Masters Tournament's Par 3 Contest is an annual exhibition that tees off on Wednesday and features a lighthearted tone to precede what will be a highly intense chase for the green jacket.

Among the many traditions of the year's maiden major at Augusta National, the par-three event is one of the most notable. Kevin Streelman won the 2015 edition, defeating Camilo Villegas in a three-hole playoff.

Masters.com will have live stream coverage of the Par 3 Contest from 3 to 5 p.m. ET, and ESPN will have TV coverage in that same time window, though it officially gets underway at noon. Read on for a preview of what to expect in the unique Masters warm-up competition.

2016 Masters Par 3 Contest Preview

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Numerous legends participate in the proceedings; six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus was in it last year and made a magnificent hole-in-one to delight the galleries. Claiming a victory doesn't necessarily bode well for the Masters itself.

No one who's won the par-three shootout has ever gone on to claim victory on Masters Sunday. Some players may even avoid it to focus solely on their preparation as they make the ride up Magnolia Lane.

One big name who's doing precisely that is Rory McIlroy. On the precipice of an opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam, McIlroy explained why he's sitting out Wednesday's showcase.

"It's a bit of a distraction and the year I had my best chance at Augusta, 2011, I didn't play the Par 3 Contest," said McIlroy, per the Guardian's Ewan Murray. "So maybe the decision not to play it this year can work in my favour."

Hard to blame McIlroy for passing, especially after thrusting himself into the spotlight in the past with Par 3 Contest caddies such as tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and One Direction member Niall Horan.

But the family-oriented atmosphere of Wednesday's event will at least bring a lot of enjoyment for Marc Leishman and his wife, Audrey, as Damon Hack of Golf Channel recently highlighted:

Audrey Leishman endured multiple infections that put her in a coma in 2015, but she ultimately survived and will be on the bag for her husband as he sets the tone for another hopefully strong outing at Augusta.

Having missed the Masters last year under the scary circumstances, Marc Leishman is in for a special moment even before he tees it up in Thursday's opening round.

And there's reason to believe in Leishman as a potential contender. He finished tied for fourth at the 2013 Masters and ranks a solid 23rd this season on the PGA Tour in par-three scoring average.

Although many may dismiss the significance of the Masters Par 3 Contest, it's worth the fans' attention because of the historical figures in the game of golf who decide to give it a go. There's also no shortage of family-member cameos and trick-shot attempts—such as skipping balls across the water—by the world's best players.

The nostalgia factor, opportunity to be exposed to newer golfers and sheer lure of more golf at Augusta make this par-three showcase a treat to see as a worthy bonus to the pre-Masters hype.

Note: Stats courtesy of PGATour.com unless otherwise indicated.