Deadspin | Rickie Fowler in contention and comfortable at The Open

[ad_1] Jul 4, 2025; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Rickie Fowler tees off on the thirteenth gap through the second spherical of the John Deere Traditional golf event. Necessary Credit score: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Photos Rickie Fowler took early benefit of his spot within the last main of the 12 months by carding a 2-under par 69 after the primary spherical of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

Fowler offset three bogeys with 5 birdies, together with going 2 beneath over his last 4 holes to take a seat in a tie for tenth place after 18 holes throughout a wet and intensely gradual spherical.

"I feel simply not making an attempt to get too cute or attempt to do an excessive amount of, play a bit bit conservative," Fowler mentioned when requested how he offers with totally different circumstances all through a spherical at The Open. "Bogeys are OK at instances. You may get your self into bother fairly rapidly on the market if you happen to possibly attempt to do an excessive amount of."

Fowler, 36, earned his solution to Northern Eire this week with a top-10 end on the Memorial. He then opted to not come over early for the Scottish Open, deciding as a substitute to play within the John Deere Traditional, the place he tied for 18th.

As soon as an everyday across the first web page of main leaderboards, simply being in attendance is now not a given for the world's A hundred and tenth-ranked participant. Fowler didn't earn a spot on the Masters or U.S. Open this 12 months and missed the minimize on the PGA Championship.

Nonetheless, he has loved a few of his greatest main success at The Open. Amongst Fowler's 13 earlier begins was a tie for second at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and a tie for fifth at Royal St. George's in 2011.

"I like enjoying over right here. It is a fashion of golf I like to play," he mentioned. "I do know I can compete in any fashion of golf, however particularly this."

Fowler tied for sixth the final time The Open was held at Royal Portrush, carding a 66 on Saturday earlier than struggling to a final-round 74. Nonetheless, it is a course he feels very snug on -- one thing he plans to benefit from over the subsequent three days.

"It is a difficult golf course, relying on the place the wind's at and what sort of climate we now have," he mentioned. "You must suppose your method round it and hit -- execute nonetheless but in addition know when you'll be able to possibly play on the aggressive aspect or when you could type of play conservative or simply keep sensible and take what the course provides you.

"Undoubtedly good to get off to a stable begin as a result of you'll be able to take your self out of the event fairly rapidly Thursday with a poor spherical."