Fowler hopes life will start at 30

– Defending Hero World Challenge champion Rickie Fowler is hoping that hitting 30 will signal an overdue era of success at golf’s highest level.

The American, who turns 30 on December 13, has three runner-up finishes and five other top-fives in his 36 Major championship appearances since his debut at the 2008 US Open.

While he’s not about to panic, Fowler would dearly like to see his name crossed off the “best players never to win a Major” list.

“I’ve always heard that 30s were your prime, so we’re just getting into it,” he said Wednesday as he prepared to defend his title in the elite 18-player unofficial event on the Albany course, where Fowler stormed to victory last year. –