Day one at The Truist Championship is in the bag for Rickie Fowler and it was a solid day with a round of seven-under but the American has suggested day two could see a huge difference.
Fowler has won just once on the PGA Tour since 2019 – he captured the Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2023 – and in the main, has looked a shadow of his best.
However, round one at The Truist Championship proved successful and he’s in with a shout if he can produce a solid second round to put him in contention over the weekend.
Of course, one of the big talking points for The Truist has been the renovated course. Rory McIlroy suggested it was a bit hit and hope and with some early low scores, we could see a really low finish again.
But for Rickie Fowler, there is more to it than that and he’s been giving his verdict on the course.
Rickie Fowler gives verdict on Philadelphia Cricket Club golf course after day one at The Truist Championship
Speaking to the media after his round got him to within two of the lead at the end of day one, Fowler was first asked just how he managed to play so well.
“Kept it simple,” Fowler quipped. “I guess in a way just kind of executed how I wanted to. I felt like some of the pin locations were pretty gettable, and with the conditions today, you were going to have to make birdies.
“Kind of a start to how the golf course is laid out — I know this isn’t the normal routing — but the first seven holes, and you can make a lot of birdies there. If you get out of position, you can also go the other way. I knew that was going to be key to kind of get off to a nice start and get things rolling there.
Fowler was then asked about the course and the alterations made at The Cricket Club, and the American admitted he is impressed by what he’s seen so far.
“It’s great. It’s a fun place to play. For the members that are here, this is about all you can ask for for somewhere you show up and play every day,” Fowler continued.
“I feel like they’ve done a great job of modernising it over time, but it still has all the old school characteristics. It’s a fun place to play.
“I figured scores were going to be pretty low with the softer conditions and not much wind today. It will be a little different maybe tomorrow with moisture and playing — having to play with a wet golf ball. We’ll see. We’re all enjoying it because this isn’t — we don’t get to see many courses like this, old school architecture throughout the year.”
Rickie Fowler desperately needs a win on the PGA Tour
There are a whole cluster of big name players who are just not producing on the TOUR right now and Rickie Fowler is among them.
One win in six years is simply unacceptable for a man of his talents and now having put himself in position in Philadelphia, he has to capitalise.
Fowler, along with the likes of Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa, are all in droughts nobody ever saw coming.
Justin Thomas has got the monkey off his own back by winning this year and playing well.
The time has come, then, for Fowler to do the same and finally get back on the horse.
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