ONE DAY IN, AND FOWLER MAKES MAJOR LOOK EASY
Sweet swinger shoots through the heat, ties U.S. Open first-round record with 7-under 65
Rickie Fowler was having a day to smile about, but he knew better than to dare.
The youthful look is still there, the clothes are still bright and the kids still love him, but the Fowler of 2017 knows better than to get excited on Thursday at the U.S. Open.
The 28-year-old shot a 7-under 65 at Erin Hills on Thursday, tying this championship’s record for lowest score under par after the first round, held by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. He did it without making a bogey or breaking much of a sweat in the Wisconsin heat, and he saved the smiles for after his round.
“You don’t get many rounds at the U.S. Open that are stressfree,” Fowler said. “So, simple day when you look back on it, and how we kind of pieced our way around the golf course. Kind of easier said than done.”
Easier said than done is right. Despite the breezy nature of the post-round interview, on the course Fowler displayed a narrow-eyed determination and poker-faced stoicism.
Beginning his day on the 10th hole, Fowler birdied three of his first five holes and then added another at the 18th to make the turn toward the first hole at 4 under par.
On Thursday, Fowler was the wily veteran in his group, playing with young guns Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama. The rookie Rahm is widely regarded as the game’s next big star. The only thing that seems to match the fiery Spaniard’s talent is his confidence.
Rahm stood on the first tee at 4 over par after taking 40 shots for his opening nine. In the distance there were plumes of black smoke, which we later learned were from, of all things, a crashing blimp. At the time, it seemed more likely to be coming from Rahm’s ears. Throughout the day, the 22-year-old was running hot, although he managed to play his second nine in even par to shoot 76. He muttered to himself several times and once feigned a swing at his bag with his wedge before tossing it to the ground.
Fowler probably didn’t notice. He barely said a word to anyone all day. His gaze was trained straight ahead. A few times during longer waits on the tee block — where he had the honours almost all day — he teed up, took a few steps back and would just stare at his ball.
Fowler wasn’t just in the zone, he seemed to be in a state of Zen.
After making the turn and heading to the front side, Fowler made a textbook three-shot, oneputt birdie at the par-5 first hole. After laying a touch farther back than his playing partners at the short second, he played a beautiful low spinning wedge from 50 yards that bit hard and stopped two feet from the hole en route to his sixth birdie of the day.
Another textbook birdie, on the par-5 seventh hole, capped off his round.
“I feel I’m better (than previous years) throughout my whole game,” Fowler said.
“I’ve been able to tighten things up. I used to not be a very good bunker player, and now I feel like I have a lot of confidence and stats say I’m one of the best.”
Actually, statistics say he is the best bunker player, getting up and down out of the sand more than 72 per cent of the time.
Fowler is also No. 1 in total driving on the PGA Tour, 33rd in distance and 25th in accuracy. Driving and bunker play are incredibly important at the long and sandy Erin Hills Golf Course. He’s also ranked first in the PGA Tour’s all-around ranking.
All this suggests it’s Fowler’s time. His flashy outfits, flatbrimmed hats and BMX persona used to confuse the casual golf fan. Many adults had a hard time taking the California native seriously before realizing just how seriously he takes the game.
Mind you, the rest of the field might have something to say about Fowler’s pursuit of a first major title.
Fowler has long enjoyed the near-unanimous respect of his peers, but three years ago he took it to a new level on the course by finishing top five at all four majors. Even that’s not enough in a sport defined by its major champions.
When Sergio Garcia won the Masters in April, the best-player-to-never-win-a-major label was slapped right across Fowler’s chest. Like those who came before him, Fowler is trying to see the sunny side of it. “I take it as a compliment,” he said. “There are a lot of really good players out here that haven’t won a major.”
Really good players — but not great players. Great players win majors, and Rickie, you’re now on the clock.