AUGUSTA, Ga., April 7 (UPI) -- South African Louis Oosthuizen won the Par-3 contest at Augusta National Golf Course Wednesday, a warmup showcase for The Masters tournament.
Oosthuizen carded a 6-under 21 to win a competition notorious because its winner has never gone on to also win The Masters -- so many considered the South African's victory a bad omen for him in this week's main event.
Oosterhuizen was the victor in the last European Tour event -- the Open de Andalucia in Spain.
Tiger Woods did not participate in the Par-3 despite speculation he would play in the event for the first time since 2004.
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player -- who own 13 green Masters jackets among them -- participated in the game as a trio. Palmer drew cheers on the ninth hole when he sank a long birdie putt to close out the round.
