Rickie Fowler in rivalry and comfy at The Open

Rickie Fowler took early benefit of his spot within the ultimate main of the 12 months by carding a 2-under par 69 after the primary spherical of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

Fowler offset three bogeys with 5 birdies, together with going 2 beneath over his ultimate 4 holes to take a seat in a tie for tenth place after 18 holes throughout a wet and very gradual spherical.

“I feel simply not attempting to get too cute or attempt to do an excessive amount of, play a little bit bit conservative,” Fowler stated when requested how he offers with totally different situations all through a spherical at The Open. “Bogeys are OK at occasions. You may get your self into hassle fairly shortly on the market for those who perhaps attempt to do an excessive amount of.”

Fowler, 36, earned his approach to Northern Eire this week with a top-10 end on the Memorial. He then opted to not come over early for the Scottish Open, deciding as a substitute to play within the John Deere Basic, the place he tied for 18th.

As soon as an everyday across the first web page of main leaderboards, simply being in attendance is now not a given for the world’s A hundred and tenth-ranked participant. Fowler didn’t earn a spot on the Masters or U.S. Open this 12 months and missed the reduce on the PGA Championship.

Nonetheless, he has loved a few of his finest main success at The Open. Amongst Fowler’s 13 earlier begins was a tie for second at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and a tie for fifth at Royal St. George’s in 2011.

“I really like enjoying over right here. It is a model of golf I like to play,” he stated. “I do know I can compete in any model of golf, however particularly this.”

Fowler tied for sixth the final time The Open was held at Royal Portrush, carding a 66 on Saturday earlier than struggling to a final-round 74. Nonetheless, it is a course he feels very comfy on — one thing he plans to make the most of over the subsequent three days.

“It is a difficult golf course, relying on the place the wind’s at and what sort of climate now we have,” he stated. “It’s a must to suppose your means round it and hit — execute nonetheless but additionally know when you possibly can perhaps play on the aggressive facet or when it’s good to form of play conservative or simply keep sensible and take what the course provides you.

“Undoubtedly good to get off to a stable begin as a result of you possibly can take your self out of the match fairly shortly Thursday with a poor spherical.”

–Area Stage Media