Rickie Fowler will be back in the conversation. It wasn’t easy to get back into the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP’s winner’s circle with the unique circular trophy. Fowler admitted that it was bittersweet after signing for an even par 70 to finish 14 under Par, one behind Keegan Bradley (68) at Accordia Country Club. Fowler (33), was determined to win the 2019 WM Phoenix Open. To start the season, he was ranked 176th in world rankings. He made some difficult personnel changes, including a new caddie, and a return to Butch Harmon, his former coach. Fowler was T6 at last month’s season-opening Fortinet Championship. Fowler missed the cut at Shriners Children’s Open Las Vegas but was able to spend more time with Harmon, a Las Vegas-based professional. Fowler, who was trying to be the first sponsor exemption winner since Martin Laird at 2020 Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, took a one shot lead over Bradley, and a two-shot advantage over Andrew Putnam to the final round ZOZO, which is the PGA TOUR’s sole tournament in Japan. He lost his lead quickly. Fowler won the first three holes by 1 over par, while Putnam birdied 2. Bradley won the sixth and fifth holes with birdies. Fowler was trying to end a 1,351-day win drought, but was only fractionally successful with his short irons and wedges. He was left with few chances of birdie. He said, “Felt, you’ll know, probably as great as you can feel out here.” “Final round. I haven’t been there much in the past couple of years, really didn’t allow myself many chances until the end. And I hit some damn good putts that made it seem like there was a covering over the hole.” Fowler finished T2 with Putnam (68), one ahead of Bradley (36), who had not won on the PGA TOUR for many years (2018 BMW Championship). Fowler’s good news is that he has now achieved two top-10 finishes in each of his three starts this year. Although there were some signs of improvement under John Tillery (a T3 at THE CJ CUP AT SUMMIT nearly exactly one year ago), that was Fowler’s only top-10 finish last year. Fowler made only 13 cuts in 22 starts, and continued to miss majors. He is stuck in a frustrating mid-career slump that has no end. Fowler and his daughter went to Baker’s Bay, Bahamas for the FedExCup Playoffs’ second week. Fowler didn’t take his clubs, but rented a set to work on some things while he reviewed his career. He did not want to split with Joe Skovron, his caddie; they are best friends. Tillery is still a huge fan. After three years of largely futile efforts, it was time to make a change. Fowler was accompanied by Ricky Romano, a friend from Murrieta in California, as a caddie. Fowler is four years older and Romano four years younger than Skovron. Fowler stayed true to his roots as a coach. Fowler and Harmon were together for more than five years, during which Fowler was able to reach a career high of fourth place in the world. He also won the 2015 PLAYERS Champion, one his five PGA TOUR wins. Although the putts did not fall in Japan on Sunday it seems that a sixth win is closer than ever. Fowler stated that “it’s finally in a situation where we’re building momentum, building more confidence.” “I felt like the last few years were filled with times when we took a step back, but never had enough momentum to go on for more than one week. He said, “In a great place,” and “finally in a situation where things are kind of starting to snowball in the right direction.”
By: Cameron Morfit
Title: Rickie Fowler coronation put on hold
Sourced From: www.pgatour.com/news/2022/10/16/rickie-fowler-coronation-put-on-hold-zozo-championship.html
Published Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400
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