Rickie Fowler explains the big reason why he’s now using a mini driver instead of a three wood

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Rickie Fowler carded one of the low rounds on day two of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Narashino Country Club in Japan.

The American made seven birdies and dropped just one shot on his way to a six-under 64. Fowler is eight under and four shots back of leader Nico Echavarria.

Fowler has seen plenty of action in recent weeks after participating in the Sanderson Farms Championship and Shriners Childern’s Open, two tournaments which are part of the FedEx Cup fall stretch.

Fowler wants to cement his place inside the top 125, and things are certainly going to plan in this week’s limited field fall event.

ZOZO Championship: Rickie Fowler mini driver decision revealed

• READ MORE: PGA Tour star Rickie Fowler confirms two more events he will play before the end of 2024

Fowler tinkered with his clubs at the Sanderson Farms Championship, and the American has now explained why he’s using a mini driver instead of a three-wood in Japan.

“It takes the place of a three wood, and the benefit being when you look at a round or the course of a tournament, a lot of times you are hitting maybe one three wood off the deck and the majority are off the tee,” Fowler said.

“It has a little bigger face, and it’s more forgiving than a normal three-wood. The big thing for me is that I like to be able to draw a three wood, so a dogleg left or wind off the left, it’s a lot easier for me to hit that, hold it and turn it, so it’s a lot easier for me to do that than with driver.”

Fowler added: “It will go a bit further than a three-wood would, but it’s nice to have that. I can hit the shots with it. But the biggest thing is being able to use it off the tee. It’s going to fly a bit lower than a three-wood.”

Rickie Fowler projected FedEx Cup fall ranking

Fowler is currently projected to jump 11 spots in the FedEx Cup fall rankings. The American sits 108th but could end the week 97th if he can maintain his form.

Those inside the top 125 earn PGA Tour cards for the following season, while those inside the top 150 earn conditional cards for 2025.

The ever-popular Joel Dahmen is currently ranked 127 and will be desperate to jump up three places before the fall stretch concludes.

For Fowler, the signs have certainly been positive over the past couple of weeks, which will give the 35-year-old confidence as he looks to return to the winners’ circle in 2025.