Flamboyant Rickie Fowler dazzled as he put himself in position to break a PGA Tour victory drought in moving into a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Fowler, 22 grabbed an eagle and eight birdies in a six-under par 64 to share the lead at eight under par with Australia’s Adam Scott (70) and fellow Americans Keegan Bradley (65) and Ryan Moore (66).
Rickie Fowler dazzles on day two of Bridgestone Invitatonal. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
Three players, Australia’s Jason Day (70), Scotland’s Martin Laird (67) and Sweden’s Robert Karlsson (65) are in fifth spot at seven under par and only a stroke from the lead
Fowler joined fellow contestants Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy in turning professional straight after the 2007 Walker Cup.
He then gained his PGA Tour for the 2010 season in finishing 15th at the Tour’s Q-School.
Fowler capped last year with two seconds and a handful of other top-10s to inspire USA Ryder Cup Captain, Corey Pavin to pick him for the Celtic Manor showdown against Europe.
This year Fowler has highlighted his second full season with three top-10s including a superb fifth place finish in last month’s British Open.
Now the very popular long-haired Oklahoman is primed to finally break through for that long-awaited maiden PGA success.
“For the most part, I am just focusing on my game and focus on playing well,” he said.
“Winning a first PGA Tour event is not something you can put in the back of your head.
“I won in junior and amateur golf, but it’s a well known fact and not exactly something you can put to the side that I haven’t won yet as a pro.
“So for the most part, I’m going to be focusing on my game.
“Winning is something I feel like has to fall into place, you know, not something where I can go out and try and force the issue on.
“I can’t go out there and push myself to win. I have to do this. It’s something where I just focus on playing well, something I’ve been doing lately, and if it’s my time to win, it’s my time.
And while Japanese golfing heartthrob Ryo Ishikawa arrived in Akron sporting a very short ‘Number Two’ haircut, Fowler’s promised his countless thousands of young fans he’s not about to have his flowing brown locks cut.
Rickie Fowler not about to get a haircut like Ryo Ishikawa. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
“Ryo’s had some curly-Qs going or something, and he’s had a couple of different hair styles in the last month or so,” said Fowler.What Fowler has promised is a continued flamboyant number of coloured shirts and pants.
“I actually laid some stuff out earlier in the week and while I’m not sure if I should tell anyone what I’m wearing tomorrow or not, it’s going to be good,” he said.
“Like at the Majors, Puma and I plan it out a few months ahead of time so they know what I’m wearing at the Majors.
“But for normal events and the WGCs, I get to pick what I want to wear.
“So tomorrow will be good.
“I finally got all the coloured shoes in for this season’s line, so I’ve been able to put some good outfits together. We’ll put a good one together tomorrow.
“But it’s not getting any brighter than this.”
