Rickie Fowler shrugs off ill omens as he triumphs in Masters par-three contest

Fowler completed the nine-hole course in the grounds of Augusta National in five under par to finish two shots clear of Austria's Sepp Straka, American JT Poston and Mexican amateur Santiago de la Fuente.

Since the pre-tournament contest started in 1960, nobody has ever become par-three and Masters champion in the same week, a fact which often sees players deliberately not shoot the best score possible.

Fowler seemed unbothered by the ill omen, however, and just seemed happy to be back at Augusta.

"Sitting on the couch, it's one of the few events that you would watch as a fan and professional golfer, but it's a lot better when you're a part of it," he said.

"Great way to start - I guess not start of the week; been working at it the last few days.

"It's been kind of long time coming to get back to here. Special place. One of my favourites."

Straka's total included a hole-in-one on the fifth, with Ryder Cup team-mate Viktor Hovland, Gary Woodland and Luke List all recording an ace on the sixth and Lucas Glover holing his tee shot on the seventh.