Rickie Fowler arrives at Royal Troon hoping to turn around a season so far filled with inconsistency
Rickie Fowler arrives at Royal Troon
After a season so far defined by inconsistency, Rickie Fowler has arrived at one of his favourite tournaments this week hoping to turn his season around.
Fowler, the world number seven, missed the cut in the Masters, U.S. Open and in his defence of the Players Championship this year, yet he has also compiled a contrary list of seven top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, the last of which was a tie for 10th at the Bridgestone invitational after a final round of 67, three under par.
“My results were certainly disappointing and not what I expected in both the Masters and the U.S. Open,” admits American Fowler, 27. “I worked hard preparing for both but didn’t perform the way I wanted to. Like with every disappointment in this game, I take away things those experiences taught me that will make me better.”
Fowler’s record in The Open suggests he has the game and temperament for the distinct challenge of links golf. In six Open appearances Fowler has a pair of top-five results, including finishing tied for second behind Rory McIlroy at Royal Liverpool two years ago.
“I love The Open and links golf,” says Fowler, who is playing Royal Troon for the first time this week. “I first experienced links golf at the 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down - I fell in love with it then and enjoy it even more today. Open venues seem to suit my eye and my imagination since I enjoy shaping shots, changing trajectories, and the creativity that links golf requires. It also emphasizes the importance of striking the ball solidly in the middle of the face.
“As in all majors you’ve got to play The Open with patience. You have to play in a variety of weather conditions that can change in a moment's notice and you need to embrace the challenge of extreme conditions rather than lament them.”
“If I can get to Thursday prepared, rested, and mentally ready and execute my game plan well for four rounds I expect to be in the mix.”
Fowler tees off in the first round on Thursday at 9:25am in one of the glamour groups at Troon, with Masters champion Danny Willett and world number one Jason Day.
Rickie Fowler is an ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, Official Car and Official Patron of The Open
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