AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rickie Fowler has returned to the Masters after a three-year absence, and already he’s been able to lift up a trophy.
The question now is whether that will cost him a chance to slip on a jacket.
HOW TO WATCH MASTERS: The Masters streams on its website the first round at 8:15 a.m. EDT Thursday and throughout the day, and cameras highlight holes and groups. The first two rounds are broadcast on ESPN beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday. CBS has the final two rounds Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The tournament also is streamed on ESPN+, Paramount+ (FREE trial) and Fubo+ (FREE trial)
Fowler won the traditional Par 3 Contest at Augusta National on Wednesday, making his way around what many consider the most picturesque piece of the property in 5-under par. That was good for a two-stroke victory over Sepp Straka, J.T. Poston and Santiago de la Fuente, and earned Fowler the glittering crystal bowl that goes to the winner.
Yet nobody has won the Par 3 Contest and the green jacket in the same year, leading some to believe in a curse.
“This is a place you don’t want to miss,” said Fowler, who spent most of three years chasing his game before winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic last year in a playoff with Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin. “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.”
The serious business of the Masters begins Thursday, though.
The Par 3 contest on Wednesday was all about fun.
It was about Fowler playing alongside Jordan Spieth, both of their young kids dressed in miniature versions of the traditional white boiler suits that caddies wear at Augusta National. Spieth’s son, Sammy, managed to knock his yellow ball into the water in front of the ninth tee, and for a second it looked as if the youngster might dive in after it.