Rickie Fowler has missed the last two weekends at the US Open but blitzed Erin Hills to grab the early lead, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
It’s been a number of year’s since Fowler won the plaudits for finishing inside the top five in all four Majors without winning back in 2014 and now the former Oklahoma State All-American finds himself alone at the top of the leaderboard.
He missed cuts at Chambers Bay and Oakmont in previous years but Fowler took full control making the most of the windless conditions that greeted the early starters.
Starting on the 10th hole, Fowler was -2 after three and then birdied both of the back nine’s par 5s to make the turn in four-under 32 as he produced a masterclass in finding both fairways and greens in regulation.
No. 18: Par 5, 632 yards …@RickieFowler on No. 18: Driver, 3-wood, middle of the green. 💪 #USOpen https://t.co/m7E2oueyjj
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2017
Fowler then made it three birdies in a row when he birdied the first and the second holes to take the outright lead ahead of Brian Harman, Tommy Fleetwood and Brooks Koepka – who all finished with 67s on Thursday. He continued to keep his ball in prime position but could not add further birdies as he made four consecutive pars including one at the almost impossible par 3 sixth hole.
The world number nine then made a regulation birdie on the par 5 seventh as he holed a lengthy birdie putt after yet another green in regulation.
To 7 under he goes… https://t.co/uTY2kmbAZv
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2017
At -7, Fowler was on track to better the lowest round in relation to par in US Open history but closed with two pars and a more than satisfactory 65.
Fowler’s round was even more impressive when you consider the struggles of his playing partners Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (+2) and Spanish sensation Jon Rahm (+4).
South Africa’s Thomas Aiken finished on -1 after nines of 34 and 37.
