Rickie Fowler of the US is embraced by Ernie Els after he wins the $1m Hole-In-One Challenge sponsored by SAP and Ketel One Vodka for the Els for Autism Foundation's in Florida, the US, on Monday. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/DAVID CANNON
Rickie Fowler of the US is embraced by Ernie Els after he wins the $1m Hole-In-One Challenge sponsored by SAP and Ketel One Vodka for the Els for Autism Foundation's in Florida, the US, on Monday. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/DAVID CANNON

RICKIE Fowler made a $1m hole-in-one for charity at an event hosted by Ernie Els in Florida on Monday.

Fowler, the fifth-ranked player in the world, aced the 113-yard "bonus" 19th hole to claim the prize money for the Els for Autism Foundation.

The American was immediately swamped by fans and fellow golfers including Els and Rory McIlroy.

"(It’s) pretty cool to be able to do that for Ernie and the foundation," Fowler told the Golf Channel.

"It’s a small target. No one really expects it because it’s kind of a shot in the dark," he said.

Els lifted Fowler into the air as a crowd of people including Major champions McIlroy and Louis Oosthuizen, celebrated around them.

Ernie and Liezl Els’s son, Ben, has been diagnosed with the disorder.

Fowler started the season solidly. He won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January, then suffered a playoff loss in Scottsdale, Arizona, last month before adding a pair of top-10s since.

Reuters