Rickie Fowler rolled back the years on day two of the American Express, firing a scintillating round of 63 to haul himself back into contention.
Fowler has been in the golfing doldrums over the past few years and he has just one PGA Tour win to his name since February 2019.
However, he now has a chance to win the American Express and kick off his 2026 season in style.
Fowler is still a huge star on the PGA Tour and, as a result, he still receives invites into the biggest events on the schedule that he wouldn’t have otherwise been exempt to play in.
Who do you think will win The American Express?
Will anyone be able to stop Scottie Scheffler at La Quinta?
The exceptionally popular American showed some signs last season that he was close to returning to his best.
He said on numerous occasions in 2025 that he felt really good about his game.
However, only a victory will validate that, especially in his own mind.
Rickie Fowler reveals the big problem he had in 2025
Fowler would have been delighted with the manner in which he compiled his score on Friday, after making nine birdies and nine pars.
After posting a second round 63 at the Nicklaus Tournament Course, Fowler responded when asked whether he worked on anything specific during the off-season.
“Some of it was just trying to pick up from the golf that we were playing through the summer,“ the 37-year-old admitted.
“I was able to get some time off and do some kind of rest and rehab on my shoulder that was kind of, it was bothering me all year.
“So to be in a position I’m not having to take any pain meds to take the edge off, that’s been a bonus.
“Yeah, didn’t work on, I would say, a whole lot, just because I thought the game was in a good spot. We’re always trying to get better, so it was trying to tighten some things up.
“But a big part of it was the rest and making sure that the body was good to go.“
Fowler’s game was certainly in tip-top shape at the American Express on Friday.
Rickie Fowler delivers verdict on Blades Brown
Blades Brown set the Nicklaus Course alight on day two of the American Express.
The 18-year-old posted a second round 60, despite only parring his final three holes!
Fowler was asked to give his opinion on Brown’s performance in the desert.
How many times do you think Scottie Scheffler will win in 2026?
Over or under 4.5…
He said: “Yeah, I’ve been around him a little bit. Haven’t spent much time, haven’t played with him yet. Obviously he’s a great player. Yeah, soak it up, have fun. It goes by pretty quickly.
“This is my 17th year on Tour. Good to see him playing well. That’s really what it’s all about. This game’s not getting any older. To see from when I came out what the kind of average age on Tour to what that is now. I felt like, going into my prime, age kept shifting.
“So I feel like I’m still in my prime, whatever that might be, or I’m just getting to it. But, no, I think the big thing, it’s great to see him play well.
“Obviously he had a quick turnaround from the Bahamas. I love seeing good golf, especially someone like him, young. It’s very beneficial to play well early and kind of build that confidence and momentum.“
Fowler knows all about coming out on Tour as a young man. Back in 2009, he was one of the brightest young players in the world, alongside Rory McIlroy.
However, Rickie Fowler has only managed to win six times on the PGA Tour, and that should serve as a warning to Blades Brown that winning at the very highest level of the game is a lot harder than certain players like Scottie Scheffler make it look.
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