SAYS RICKIE FOWLER
MARC LEISHMAN RICKIE FOWLER FRANCESCO MOLINARI
Aussie has become a regular contender at The Open with three top-six finishes in four years. His time is coming. Desperate to get the Major money off his back and has the right attributes if the American can get off to a good start. The Italian has managed to find some good form in the past couple of months and may be a dark horse if his short game holds up. RICKIE FOWLER is sick of being odd man out in the Frat Pack. And the Californian is desperate to bust his Major hoodoo and silence his house-mates in Carnoustie.
Fowler is sharing digs this week with Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner, Jimmy Walker and Kevin Kisner.
Around the breakfast table each morning, there are EIGHT major titles. Spieth has three, Johnson two and there’s one each for Thomas, Dufner and Walker.
Fowler, though, sits with Kisner as the black sheep of the party. So far, one of the big-four has eluded his grasp.
At the age of 29, the American ace’s time is surely coming and he wants it to be this week so he can become part of the Major club.
Fowler said: “It could be noisy if someone wins. Last year Jordan won and he was in the house.
“We flew back out that night right afterwards but it’s great when one of the guys in the place wins and I’ll be trying to beat all of them.
“What would be best about winning? Probably getting hold of the trophy and then being able to hold it over all of their heads for the next year!”
Fowler might want to be the boss of the house but he admits the camaraderie and bond between his countrymen will play a crucial part in his Open bid.
He said: “There’s myself, JT, Jordan, Duff, Zach, Jimmy and Kevin. We may not get out and around town as much as normal in Major weeks.
“We’ve got a chef at our house, so we’ll be hanging around there most of the time. It’s nice to go back and relax with being so busy. You can chill.
“It’s great fun being in there and the TV coverage you get throughout the day here is perfect.”
While his belly will be full of home cooking, there’s also a fire in there to get the job done.
Fowler has gone close in The Open before at both Sandwich and Hoylake.
Growing up with a Scottish coach and learning to play the game a traditional way, the Ryder Cup hero has a game which is well suited to Carnoustie’s conditions.
Fowler has won a Scottish Open in the past to underline his credentials and believes that his love of the local tracks can give him a crucial edge in Angus.
He said: “Playing the Scottish Open, getting rested and relaxed and being comfortable with the time change, that’s a benefit compared to the guys who flew over on Sunday night. I love being here.”