Fan favourite Rickie Fowler seeks to revive career with US Open run

LOS ANGELES – Rickie Fowler, in the midst of reviving a promising golf career, took another major step in his journey back to relevance as he held the outright US Open lead after a seesaw second round on Friday.

He has not won a PGA Tour title since 2019 and sank to a career-low world 185th in September 2022. Yet all along, the Californian, now ranked 45th, has remained one of the game’s most popular players, partly due to his contemporary fashion sense on the fairways.

But, while his popularity has most often exceeded his performance, he has given renewed hope of a Major breakthrough with a two-day 130 total that tied the lowest 36-hole US Open scoring record set by Martin Kaymer in 2014.

“I’m looking forward to the weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this good in a tournament, let alone a Major,” said the American, 34. “It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it.”

He may not have been able to replicate his record-setting opening round of 62 but returned a two-under 68 on Friday to reach 10 under at Los Angeles Country Club, with a bizarre scorecard for a leader that featured just four pars.

Fowler, who failed to qualify for the last two editions of the US Open, mixed eight birdies with six bogeys and was a shot clear of Wyndham Clark (67). Rory McIlroy (67) and Xander Schauffele (70) were a further shot back on 132. Dustin Johnson (70) recovered from a quadruple-bogey eight on his second hole and is on 134.

“Being in the lead is nice, but it means nothing right now,” added Fowler. “A little different after 54 holes because that’s when things really heat up.”

His ability to keep the birdies flowing – his 18 over 36 holes is another US Open record – let him overcome three three-putts, one from just off the green at the 11th which he answered with a 23-foot birdie at the 12th.

“The birdies are out there if you put yourself in the right position, but as you can see, bogeys are very easy to make,” he said. “If you get out of position, this course is going to eat you up.”

Crucially, Fowler managed to bounce back from his mistakes when he needed to.

After another three-putt at 13th he rolled in a birdie putt from inside eight feet at the par-three 15th. Unable to get up and down from a greenside bunker at the 16th, he responded with his final birdie of the day at No. 17.

“Definitely appreciation, gratitude, knowing it’s a very humbling sport,” said Fowler of emerging from his struggles.

“Appreciate the good times because you never know when things are going to go south.”

There was frustration for a few marquee players. Brooks Koepka (69), who won the PGA Championship in May, was even par at the halfway mark.

Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick had the excitement of a hole in one at the 15th – but his 70 left him one over.

Masters champion Jon Rahm’s opening eagle was a lone bright spot in a 73 that saw him make the cut on the number at two over. Notable names who did not make it included Justin Thomas (81), Jordan Spieth (71) and Phil Mickelson (74). REUTERS, AFP