Rickie trumps Donald to be a huge success with the Scottish golf fans
Rickie Fowler is one American golfer determined to leave a positive impression in Scotland this weekend.
While US President Donald Trump was playing across the country at Turnberry yesterday amid large protests, Fowler was being cheered around Gullane at the Scottish Open.
The ever popular Fowler shot a two-under-par 68 in harder conditions than the first two days to finish on 12-under-par, one behind surprise leader Jens Dantorp of Sweden.
The Californian was a winner on this course, and in this event in 2015, and he would love a repeat as he gears up for next week’s Open Championship at Carnoustie.
Fowler struggled on his opening nine into the wind, but he found his range on the inward half with three birdies to put himself firmly in the mix.
It was a seventh consecutive under-par round at Gullane and the world No. 7 is ready to try and emulate what happened three years ago when a birdie on the 72nd hole saw him take the title by a shot.
“We’re right where we wanted to be,” he said. “I’ve had success here before and I’ve obviously played a lot of good golf around this place.
“I enjoy playing Gullane. It suits my eye and my game.
“But we have a jam-packed leaderboard and nothing is going to be easy tomorrow, so I’m going to have to go out and earn it.
“But I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Fowler is tied with six other players in second place, which includes Matthew Fitzpatrick.
The Englishman didn’t expect to be near the top when he finished his round, but he was certainly happy with his day’s work as he signed for a six-under-par 64.
After missing the cut in Ireland last week, it was a welcome return to form for the Sheffield golfer. He’s determined to maintain that this afternoon with so much at stake.
Fitzpatrick is currently in ninth spot in the Ryder Cup rankings with only the top eight earning automatic selection, so a super Sunday at Gullane would be very welcome.
The 23-year-old has already had four wins on Tour, but another one here would go a long way towards rubber-stamping his place in Thomas Bjorn’s European team at Le Golf National in September.
“One thing I have been doing this year is tending to have my best days on a Sunday,” he said. “Hopefully I can have another one of those and see where it takes me.
“I couldn’t really get on with the course last week in Ireland. It didn’t really suit my eye and I didn’t hole too many putts, as well. This week is a lot better. I have putted so much better and I feel comfortable around this golf course.
“That makes a big difference.” Fitzpatrick is a very keen football fan but his late tee-off time to suit the demands of American television means he won’t see any of today’s World Cup final in Russia.
But with England bowing out at the semi-final stage, he’s more than happy to concentrate on the day job.
“I couldn’t care less about the World Cup final now,” he smiled. “My mind will be totally on the golf. “I probably hope France win because they’re the better team and I saw a few comments from the Croatians in the paper after the match that I didn’t like.” Dantorp broke away from the logjam at the top of the board with a late run of birdies at 16, 17 and 18.
The Swede is currently 106th in the Race to Dubai and has never won a European Tour event. The first prize here is over $1m, and his best-ever cheque is just $83,000, so it promises to be the biggest day of his career.
He said: “It will be a new experience but I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully, I’ll stay on top.”
However, there are 17 players within three shots of Dantorp’s lead, so much can happen over the final 18 holes.
Sadly one of those is not Robert Rock. The Englishman began the day with a two-stroke advantage, but plummeted down the field after a five-over 75.