Now he has come of age, with a trophy collection as proof.
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But this is a different Fowler, who acknowledges that his work on the range with celebrated coach Butch Harmon is starting to pay off. After claiming some wins in tournaments with a lot of top-level talent, Fowler seems to be on his way to winning a major very soon. He has moved to No4 in the world for the first time; suggesting he has joined Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy in detaching themselves from the rest. In the midst of constant concerns regarding golf’s allure and participation, its upper echelons has rarely exhibited such youthful vigour. Rickie is going to win multiple events each year, I believe; so will Rory, so will Jason and hopefully I will do the same and there will be a few others.
“The eighth was huge” Fowler said.
By the 17th, Fowler’s advantage had been slashed to one. With McIlroy in tied-third place was Henrik Stenson (67) at 14-under 274. Fowler’s response was an astonishing one as he chipped in from off the green, inflicting a fatal blow on those around him. With all four of those heavy hitters posting top-five results, the event certainly got its appearance fees’ worth. My ultimate goal this season is to win a major and I will build now for Augusta. The course is in flawless shape,”he added”.
“This is a great way to start 2016”. So nothing I can really do about that.
McIlroy started the final round three shots behind Fowler and only came on late, chipping in for birdie on No. 16 and rolling in a 35-foot eagle putt on No. 18. The seeds of impending triumph had been sewn during a third round of 65, amid which he did not record a single bogey.
McIlroy now has a week off before defending his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title; Spieth has taken a “puddle jump” to the Far East for this week’s Singapore Open. “It makes it extra special to win here with the field we’ve had – not just Rory and Jordan (Spieth)”. He had to settle for one place worse and the admission after a closing 68 that the result probably outweighed the performance.
McIlroy actually led the field on shots gained at 23, including 19 birdies and two eagles. “Next time maybe some more putts drop, that’s it”. “Being in a share of the lead going into the back nine and just not being able to execute and get the job done, it’s disappointing”. Yeah, I want to be a part of the crew.
“I wasted a lot of opportunities out there this week, so it really is a story of what could have been”.
Time off is nothing new to Day, who barely played golf in the four months in between the Tour Championship and the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. That’s just what it is. “I feel more comfortable this year”.
That was an enormous moment for him and, though he didn’t match his 2014 quartet of top-five finishes at the Majors, I think he has only gone from strength to strength since.
With wins by Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler two of the last three weeks, the golf year is already off to an incredible start.
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Pieters, a big-hitting Belgian, went even closer. Pieters bounced back from a second-round 73 to card 64 and 67. It’s a busy schedule that I’ve got going into the Masters.
