AUGUSTA, United States, (MILLAT ONLINE/APP/AFP) – With an
early season victory and plenty of birdies, eighth-ranked Rickie Fowler has renewed confidence he can capture a long-awaited first major title this week at the Masters.
The 28-year-old American, who managed top-five finishes at all four majors in 2014 without a victory, took his fourth US PGA title five weeks ago in the Honda Classic at PGA National, his first tour win after holding the 54-hole lead following four prior failures.
“To win that early in the season on that golf course, and being out front and closing the deal, it has definitely helped,” Fowler said Monday.
“And I think it showed from how well I’ve been swinging the past few weeks and then heading the right direction coming into this week.”
Fowler, who has never broken 70 more than once in any of his six Masters appearances, shared third at the Houston Open on Sunday with form that gives him faith his game is exactly where it needs to be.
“I’m making a lot of birdies right now and that bodes well around this golf course,” Fowler said. “You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to have to settle for bogeys here and there.
“So having a lot of offense these last two tournaments is something that I want to feed off and if I can continue to do that here this week — a lot of birdies, maybe a couple eagles in there — that’s going to be something that’s going to be very good around here.”