Until this week, the 34-year-old had played in just two majors - on both occasions, the US PGA Championship - since a tie for 53rd at the 2021 Open.
In 2014, Fowler's worst finish in one of golf's big four was a share of fifth. Chronic loss of form has affected him in recent times; his last win came in Phoenix four years ago. He sank to 185th in the world at his lowest ebb. Fowler used day one at the LA Country Club to endorse the theory that he will scale the golfing mountain again. In fact, he pulled this famous venue apart.
A superb run of four birdies in as many holes from the 18th, his ninth, planted Fowler atop the leaderboard at six under. He came within one roll of the ball of holing out from a bunker on the fourth but tickled in a curling putt for birdie at the sixth to reach minus seven.
Trouble did briefly ensue. Fowler cracked his tee shot wildly right at the par-five eighth, meaning recovery was needed from wasteland. In full view of Lionel Richie's mansion, at that. "Hello, is it a Titleist 3 you're looking for?" Fowler pitched back on to the fairway and found the bottom of the cup for a birdie.
This story is from the June 16, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the June 16, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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