McIlroy fades as Fowler shines

Rickie Fowler climbed up the leaderboard at The Open Championship on Saturday as Rory McIlroy was falling down it.
Rickie Fowler climbed up the leaderboard at the Open on Saturday as many others, including Rory McIlroy, were falling down it.
Of the two 22-year-old stars who played together in all three rounds of the Open Championship so far, you’d have been forgiven for thinking it would have been McIlroy, and not Fowler, who would be making his presence felt at the top of the leaderboard.
Instead it was the young American who shot a superb two-under-par 68 to leave him on two under par for the tournament. As he made his way off the course, there were only a handful of players in front of him.
With heavy rain, cold and rough winds the order of the day, most players were struggling just to keep from dropping too many shots. At the time that Fowler finished, his 68 was the low round of the day, and the only one under par.
For a player inexperienced in links golf and unused to the rough weather conditions, his performance was nothing short of remarkable, and if he wasn’t before, he is now a serious contender for the title.
“I’d love for my first win to be a major and I’d love for it to be here,” said Fowler.
“I’m playing every tournament to be in contention and give it a shot, so I’m in a perfect place going into tomorrow.
“I felt like I played really well today and it’s going to give me a lot of confidence going into tomorrow.
“I just need to make some putts and it’s going to put me in a good spot.
“I’ve just got to make sure I keep having fun. I think that’ll keep me for the most part kind of mellow and not getting too far ahead of myself.
“As long as I draw on some past experiences being in contention – I was in contention two weeks ago (at the AT&T National, where he shot a final-round 74) and I couldn’t get any putts to fall.
“I felt really good where I was at in that position. Obviously this is a little bit bigger stage and a major but I’m ready to go out and have some fun and play well.”
McIlroy, on the other hand, could not make up any ground on the leaders, and now finds himself at four over par for the tournament.
He shot a four-over-par 74 on Saturday, due in no small part to a nasty double-bogey seven on the 14th, where his leaked drive hopped out of bounds. He was forced to hit another off the tee and missed the green with his fifth shot.
“To be two over after 13 was a pretty decent effort,” said the Northern Irishman.
“You’ve done so well to keep yourself in it and with half of Kent on your left to hit it right was a bit disappointing.
“The moment I hit it I thought it was out of bounds, but then it started to hang on and I thought it could be okay.
“I think it bounced in bounds and then went out.
“That was a tough one to take. It’s big setback. I obviously wanted to get closer to the lead rather than further away.”
When he was asked how many shots back was too many, he recalled Paul Lawrie’s victory at Carnoustie in 1999.
“Ten’s been done before. You just have to keep hope.
“It seems this tournament more than anywhere else you need to get a good draw and it has not really worked out for me this week.”
Latest
-
News
Organisers delay ticketing process for 2021 Masters as another fan shutout looms
Augusta National Golf Club is considering its options before making a call on 2021 Masters.
-
News
Tiger Woods’ former swing coach: I think I over-coached him
Sean Foley reckons he didn’t give Tiger the help he really needed.
-
News
Greg Norman returns home from hospital to await coronavirus test results
The 65-year-old spent Christmas Day in hospital after experiencing symptoms.
-
News
Greg Norman in hospital with coronavirus
The 65-year-old shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed on Christmas Day.
-
News
Lee Westwood sees age as no barrier to his golfing aspirations
Westwood, at the age of 47, has been crowned European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for 2020.
-
News
Tiger Woods and son Charlie finish seventh in PNC Championship
Tiger said it was “incredibly special” to spend quality time with his son on the golf course.
-
News
Tiger Woods and son Charlie create media storm in Florida
Woods Jnr’s swing looks an awful lot like his famous father’s.
-
News
Matt Fitzpatrick wins season finale as Lee Westwood claims Race to Dubai crown
Fitzpatrick secured the first prize of £2.2million thanks to a closing 68 which left him 15 under par and a shot clear of Westwood.
-
News
Fitzpatrick wins DP World Tour Championship as Westwood lands Race to Dubai
There was a dramatic finish in Dubai.
-
News
Patrick Reed aware of the challenge ahead as he shared lead in Race to Dubai
The season is set for a thrilling conclusion.