Rickie Fowler seems to have found some form just at the right time at the FedEx St Jude Championship and he’s been assessing just where his game is right now.
Fowler has struggled for a number of seasons now but there have been a few glimmers of form this season.
Now, at TPC Southwind, Fowler seems to have got into his groove on day one as he carded a very sound round of 66 to go four under and four back of the leader.
Going into day two, Fowler will know full well that keeping up the consistency is key to him even being anywhere near contention come Sunday.
Nevertheless, things are looking up for the American and he’s admitted after round one that he feels something is brewing within his game.
Rickie Fowler assesses his golf game after round one of the FedEx St Jude Championship
Golf is a better game when we’ve got players like Rickie Fowler hitting form and it’s good to see him getting back into some sort of flow.
Fowler has still never won a major but he does have time on his side, still being only 36.
Of course, the majors are done with for 2025 but over at TPC Southwind and with the TOUR Championship to come, Fowler is happy where his game is trending.
“It was good today. The last few days through prep, a lot of stuff felt good, swing to making putts. I had some birdie games one or two of the days and was seeing some good stuff. I’ve had some good showings here at this golf course. Just had to stay patient and execute. It sounds a lot simpler than it is,” Fowler commented.
“But this golf course, you have to be playing from the short grass, and for the most part did a good job of that. Didn’t make a whole lot today, but made a nice par save on 13, made a good putt there, and yeah, just all in all a solid day. I think going around this place whenever you can go around with no bogeys or very few, it’s definitely a good sign.”
Asked specifically about his swing and what is feeling good, Fowler went into detail of just why he’s playing well.
“I feel fairly free and kind of effortless speed. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily one of the long guys out here, but I do all right for my size. I feel like we’ve been heading the right direction the last few months and starting to see some good finishes and solid rounds,” he continued.
“This was the kind of start that you want. Not 8-under like Shay did, but 4-under is a solid start, and like you said, it’s just Thursday, so we’ll try and build on it from here.”
Rickie Fowler says whether he can make the TOUR Championship
With the top 50 going to the BMW Championship and the top 30 after that going to the TOUR Championship, Rickie Fowler is among a cluster of players in with a shot of making both.
Right now, Fowler sits in 48th in the FedEx standings. That means he needs a good weekend at Southwind and then needs to follow it up at the BMW to make East Lake.
Still, Fowler believes there’s a chance, albeit he needs to keep form.
“I know I need a good finish. I don’t know exactly where that is. Obviously the higher the finish, the better chance I have. A win would take care of a lot of things,” Fowler replied when asked about the TOUR Championship.
“I mean, I know roughly, but I just need to go play some good golf and put myself where I’m in a position and have a chance to go win on Sunday.”
Fowler then admitted he feels his game has improved over the season, albeit he suggested he might have liked to play less.
“Yeah, definitely. It’s kind of been trending and going that way. I wish I wouldn’t have needed to play as much golf as I have, but that’s also at the same time helped me. I’m glad the body is hanging in there and allowing me to play some golf, as well as my family traveling with me.
“We haven’t spent much time at home. I think I counted it up, we’ve had roughly about 11 days since the end of April at home. We’re going to see if we can extend that a little longer.”
With Fowler showing some form at least, there’s a chance he makes a late run at things.
Of course, a win would be even better for him.
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