In the 123rd U.S. Open, Rickie Fowler showcased a wide range of skills and style, reminiscent of his past as one of golf’s most captivating figures. However, despite starting strong with a remarkable 62 and sporting a vibrant orange outfit on Sunday, Fowler experienced another disappointing fade from title contention.
On the final day, Fowler struggled with a score of 75, ultimately finishing tied for fifth place at Los Angeles Country Club. His last round was the highest among the top 19 finishers, and he ended up five shots behind the eventual champion, Wyndham Clark.
Nonetheless, there were positive aspects to Fowler’s performance throughout the week, and the seasoned golfer chose to focus on those after graciously congratulating his playing partner on Sunday.
“Given the past few years and how comfortable I felt this week, it’s a great achievement,” Fowler expressed. “Although it’s disappointing not to end up where I wanted to be today, we’re still making progress and moving forward. It wasn’t the desired outcome, but there are many valuable lessons to take away from this week.”
Fowler’s performance at the 123rd U.S. Open marked a significant comeback from a series of disappointing seasons, and it resulted in his best showing at a major since his impressive runner-up finish at the 2018 Masters. Throughout the tournament, he demonstrated exceptional golfing skills, highlighted by a remarkable feat of setting a U.S. Open record with 23 birdies over four rounds at Los Angeles Country Club.
However, despite his strong start and consistent presence at the top of the leaderboard, Fowler will undoubtedly feel a sense of missed opportunity as he reflects on his performance in his home state of Southern California. Having held at least a share of the lead heading into the final three rounds and being paired with the relatively inexperienced Clark on Sunday, Fowler will recognize that he let a golden chance slip through his fingers. While he has had the privilege of playing in the final group of a major on three occasions, securing a championship title has eluded him thus far.
Rickie Fowler’s presence at the 123rd U.S. Open showcased the qualities that once made him a captivating figure in golf. His brilliant opening round of 62 and vibrant orange attire caught the attention of spectators. However, Fowler’s journey took a familiar turn as he experienced another disappointing fade from title contention after sharing the lead heading into the final round.
Struggling on Sunday, Fowler carded a 75, finishing in a three-way tie for fifth place at Los Angeles Country Club. Playing alongside eventual champion Wyndham Clark, Fowler ended up five shots behind, recording the worst final round among the top 19 finishers.
Nonetheless, Fowler chose to find the silver lining in his week, expressing his comfort and satisfaction with his performance, particularly given his recent struggles. Despite not achieving the desired result, he acknowledged the positive aspects and chose to focus on the progress made during the tournament.
In a notable comeback, Fowler achieved his best result at a major since his runner-up finish at the 2018 Masters. He even established a U.S. Open record with an impressive 23 birdies over the course of four rounds at Los Angeles Country Club, showcasing his exceptional golfing abilities.
However, despite starting strongly and maintaining a share of the lead throughout the final three rounds, Fowler will reflect on the missed opportunity he experienced in his hometown of Southern California. While he has been in the final group of a major on three occasions, he has yet to claim a championship title.
Fowler candidly admitted that he did not perform at his best on Sunday, particularly struggling with his iron play and putting. He recognized the significance of making crucial putts and maintaining composure on Sundays in major championships, which proved challenging for him on that day.
Clark, who was relatively untested, also had his weakest round of the tournament on Sunday. Although he was vulnerable to being caught, he managed to persevere and card an even-par 70, securing his victory.
Despite high expectations, runner-up Rory McIlroy failed to make a significant move during the final round, shooting even par with no birdies on his last 17 holes.
On the other hand, Rickie Fowler faced a series of challenges throughout his round. He encountered difficulties early on, making three bogeys in his first seven holes, and continued to struggle on the back nine with four more bogeys. Every aspect of his game seemed to let him down at various points, including his driver, irons, short game, and putter.
Fowler’s score dropped to 6 under when his drive on the 12th hole found a hole in the rough, leading to a difficult 12-foot putt that he was unable to convert. Nevertheless, he managed to break the previous U.S. Open record for birdies, set by Brendan Steele in 2017, by securing his 23rd birdie of the week on the 14th hole. However, his attempt for a 24th birdie narrowly missed by an inch on the 15th hole, as his putt just veered right of the hole.
Reflecting on his performance, Fowler acknowledged that had he made the putt on the 15th hole, he could have potentially made a late charge in the final three holes. However, he was aware that his chances were slim, recognizing the difficulty of closing out a major championship.
Fowler concluded his round with a final bogey on the 18th hole, as his approach shot found the rough just off the green. Despite the disappointment, he showed grace in Wyndham Clark’s victorious moment, embracing his playing partner and acknowledging that Clark’s late mother would have been proud. Fowler, on the other hand, is still waiting for his own opportunity to celebrate a major championship alongside his family and friends, despite having a considerable following at Los Angeles Country Club, close to his hometown of Murrieta.
Although Fowler has yet to secure a major victory, and his only win since early 2017 was at the 2019 Phoenix Open, he remains optimistic about his game. Becoming a new father has provided him with an improved perspective on golf, and he has garnered support and admiration from fans by taking the time to sign autographs after his rounds.
The U.S. Open serves as another sign of Fowler’s revitalization, as he has demonstrated consistent improvement in his game. With nine top-15 finishes in his last 12 tournaments, including three consecutive top-10 finishes, he heads to the Travelers Championship in Connecticut with confidence and momentum.
Fowler expressed that he believes his game is headed in the right direction, appreciating the opportunities he has had in recent tournaments and the solid finishes he has achieved. He feels positive about his progress and is grateful for the positive aspects of his performance at the U.S. Open.
