Masters stars' adorable children take over the course on the eve of the tournament

Masters week is known for demonstrating the skills of golf's best and brightest out on the green.

But on Wednesday viewers weren't just treated to exceptional swings and strong shots - they got to see players' very glamorous wives, girlfriends and adorable children, taking to the course.

On the eve of every Masters championship at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, athletes invite their family members to caddie for them in a stress-free event before the serious stuff gets underway the following day.

And more often than not, they are even allowed to take shots on their behalf in the Par 3 contest.

Sweet snaps from the day showed parents helping their toddlers navigate bulky club and tricky golf balls as well as enjoy playing around in the surroundings.

Rickie and his wife Allison Stokke had their daughter Maya delighted as they held her up by the hands to hover her over the green

One adorable photo showed Jon Rahm of Spain lining up a putt with his son, Kepa, on the second hole.

Elsewhere, Maya Fowler - daughter of US player Rickie Fowler and Sammy Spieth - son of Jordan Spieth - grinned as they played in the bunker on the 1st hole.

Rickie and his wife Allison Stokke also had Maya delighted as they held her up by the hands to hover her over the green.

Brooks Koepka also had everyone swooning as he and his wife Jena Sims helped their son Crew - who was born in May last year - have a go with the club.

And it wasn't all play no work - the very productive Sunwoo - son of Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, raked the bunker on the sixth hole.

Meanwhile, Bubba Watson's daughter Dakota stole the show as she drained three putts at the event. 

And it was also Ben Crenshaw's grandson - dressed in the iconic white boilersuit and green cap - who provided a moment to remember on the greens in Georgia.

Crenshaw won The Masters in 1984 and then again 11 years later. And it seems the 72-year-old has passed his talents down the generations.

One adorable photo showed Jon Rahm of Spain lining up a putt with his son, Kepa, on the second hole

And it wasn't all play no work - the very productive Sunwoo - son of Byeong Hun An, of South Korea , raked the bunker on the sixth hole

Elsewhere, Maya Fowler - daughter of US player Rickie Fowler and Sammy Spieth - son of Jordan Spieth - grinned as they played in the bunker on the 1st hole

Max Homa of the US pictured walking the second hole with his wife, Lacey Croom, and son, Cam

On the eve of every Masters championship at Augusta National Golf Club, athletes invite their family members to caddie for them in a stress-free event before the serious stuff gets underway the following day

No better place to learn the game. #themasters pic.twitter.com/HoRBvHy9nh

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2024

Brooks Koepka also had everyone swooning as he and his wife Jena Sims helped their son Crew - who was born in May last year - have a go with the club

Brooks Koepka of the United States walking to the second green with wife, Jena Sims, during the Par Three Contest

In front of hordes of patrons at Augusta, the young Crenshaw stepped up to take on a monster putt, which stretched from almost one edge of the green to the other.

He was helped by the guidance of Bubba Watson, who helped the youngster line up the putt and bring the putter head back and forth.

Having sent the ball on its way, the youngster chased after it as it raced down the hill and towards the hole. 

After it dropped, the crowd around the hole erupted in celebration - as did Crenshaw's grandson. 

He gave high-fives and fist bumps to the other 'caddies' and even clapped his own achievement.

'He's got good genes!' the announcer said. The remarkable putt came shortly after Watson's daughter, Dakota, holed a putt from an almost identical position. 

Amongst the WAGs involved were Annie Verret, Jordan Spieth's wife, Keegan Bradley's wife Jillian Stacey and Christiana Ritchie, the partner of Grayson Murray.

A putt here, a putt there, Dakota Watson holed putts from everywhere. #themasters pic.twitter.com/75AYEPn0oF

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2024

Dakota Watson was a crowd-favorite as she wowed audiences with her impressive golfing skills

Meanwhile, Bubba Watson's daughter Dakota stole the show as she drained three putts at the event

Bubba pictured with his daughter Dakota on the 6th hole. The happy duo celebrated after Dakota's success

Sweet snaps from the day showed parents helping their toddlers navigate bulky club and tricky golf balls as well as enjoy playing around in the surroundings

Colombia's Camilo Villegas pictured with his son Mateo on the 2nd hole during yesterday's fun event

Pictured: South Africa's Erik van Rooyen enjoying some time with his daughter Valerie on the 1st hole

The sweet occasion brought together young children from all around, as their doting athlete parents enjoyed some time on the green with them 

Pictured: Ryan's children sitting down and enjoying some down time on the 10th tee the Masters Tournament

An emotional Isobel looking at her dad Ryan Fox as the pair enjoy played golf together on Wednesday 

Golf player Matthieu Pavon, of France, pictured lifting his son Aaron on the fifth green on Wednesday

Peter Malnati of the US and his son Hatcher pictured running around the green as they enjoy the day

Shane Lowry of Ireland and his daughters, Ivy and Iris, celebrated after a putt on the second green

Tommy Fleetwood of England and Shane Lowry of Ireland pictured walking the second fairway with their families during the Par Three Contest

Pictured Gary Woodland of the US and his son celebrating with Mike Weir after a putt on the ninth green

A very focused Corey Conners of Canada and his daughter, Reis, pictured lining up a putt on the ninth green

Denmark's golf player Thorbjorn Olesen pictured carrying his daughter Sienna around on Wednesday 

Pictured: Harris English of the US helping the daughter of player Brian Harman  putt on the 1st hole

Lucas Glover of the United States, Harris English of the United States and Brian Harman of the United States walking the second hole with their familes 

Proud father Keegan Bradley of the US pictured as he snapped a photo of his child on the 8th green

Harris English and Brian Harman's children looked excited as they celebrated on the second hole 

Pictured: Sungjae Im of Korea walking the second hole with his wife during the Par Three Contest

On Wednesday viewers weren't just treated to exceptional swings and strong shots - they got to see players' very glamorous wives, girlfriends and adorable children, taking to the course

Jasper Stubbs of Australia and Adrian Meronk of Poland walking on the second green during the Par Three Contest

Adrian Meronk of Poland and his girlfriend, Melania Bobrowicz, looking on from the second green

It comes as the opening round of The Masters has been delayed due to heavy rainstorms in Georgia.

Officials had earlier announced that all gate openings for the opening day of golf's first major of the year had been pushed back due to the severe weather.

They have now confirmed that play will not get underway before 9am local time (2pm BST).

Play had been due to start at 8am in the US, but will now not begin until at least an hour later.

'We continue to monitor the weather closely,' an official statement read.

'Gate openings and tee times have been delayed until further notice. The first round will not begin before 9am.'

Christiana Ritchie, partner of Grayson Murray, got plenty of attention during the contest. Here, she is pictured walking down the sixth fairway at Augusta National, donning a green Masters cap for the occasion

Maya Fowler even got a chance to hit a putt in front of hundreds of spectators as the players' families enjoy their day

Fowler and Spieth enjoyed a break from the action on the back of the eighth green, in a remarkably calm environment not at all similar to the next four days of intense play around the world-famous golf course

Eric van Rooyen's daughter Valerie didn't appear to be interested in watching Gary Player putt out on the first hole

Taking her caddying duties very seriously, Annie Verret, wife of Spieth, held the flag as she chats to Rickie Fowler

Spieth, his wife and their children, as well as Rickie Fowler's daughter Maya, all held hands during the par three competition

Gary Woodland walked with his daughters Maddox and Lennox around the hallowed fairways of Augusta National Wednesday

Austin Eckroat took in the surroundings as he walked the fairways with his wife - and caddie for the day - Sally. She will have been grateful he used his pencil bag rather than a full set of clubs for the contest

Sam Burns and his son walked to the second green as they enjoyed a rare day of calm at Augusta National (left), while Gary Player's daughter (right) watched her father's bag from the tee

American Keegan Bradley played games with his wife Jillian and their sons Logan and Cooper during the par 3 contest

Bubba Watson walked close to the water on the fifth hole alongside his daughter Dakota, who even had a chance to play

Argentina's Emiliano Grillo held his son, Andre, as playing partner Taylor Moore watched on during the famous event

Patrons waved at Maya Fowler and Sammy Spieth as the adorable young pair ran around their playground for the day at Augusta

Luke List put the flag back in the hole on the first green as he played alongside Keegan Bradley - with plenty of young company as they made their way around the hallowed grounds of Augusta National

Emiliano Grillo held onto his son Andre as he walks alongside his partner Alexia Garcia Morris on the sixth hole in Georgia

Carminita Immelman, wife of South African golfer Trevor, reacted on the ninth green during the par 3 contest on Wednesday

List spoke to his children Ryann and Harrison on the first hole, as everyone enjoyed their day out at Augusta National

Canada's Nick Taylor walked the par three contest with his wife Andie (left), and children Charlie (center) and Harper (right)

Fowler held his daughter Maya as he lined up a putt. Come Thursday, he will have no additional help from his children as the real business starts in earnest at The Masters

The crowds were out in force on the fifth hole at Augusta National as the players and families made their way around the holes

Thunderstorms and winds of up to 45mph had earlier been predicted for Thursday, leading to fears that play could be affected.

That has proved to be the case, although the weather is expected to improve heading into the weekend. 

This year's Masters will see the return of Tiger Woods, five years on from the last of his 15 major titles, when he triumphed by one stroke at Augusta.

He has battled with injuries over the years, but has still insisted he is capable of competing for victory this week.

Rory McIlroy will also be looking to complete the career grand slam, having never won The Masters before.

McIlroy is a four-time major winner, and has tasted victory at the PGA Championship twice, the US Open and The Open, but it has been 10 years since his last major.