Fowler closes deal on win, but it was far from easy

Dave George

PALM BEACH GARDENS — It got sticky for Rickie on Sunday, and with half of PGA National’s churlish Champion course still to be played.

One more bad drive like the ones he already had splashed into the water and among the trees on the front nine and his once mountainous Honda Classic lead would be history.

History repeated, that’s the hardest part, because Rickie Fowler brought into this tournament a reputation for blowing 54-hole leads on the PGA Tour.

Pretty tough when the kid with the Cobra logo on his cap is known for being snake bit in some way. It goes against logic and it goes against form, because a player has to be strong enough to challenge frequently for championships if he’s going to build any kind of reputation at all.

“Finding a way, no matter how it is, a win is a win,” Rickie said Sunday night, cutting to the chase on