Rickie Fowler singled out good friend Phil Mickelson for thanks in capturing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane.
Fowler, 26 birdied three of his closing four holes in a final round two under par 68 to win by a stroke with a 12-under par tally.
The reigning Players Championship title-holder set up only his second victory outside of the U.S., after capturing the 2011 Korean Open and his fourth as a professional, with a wedge shot to just two feet for birdie on the final hole.
Fowler, who was eighth in the event a year ago, is also the second American in two years to capture the Scottish title after Mickelson won at Castle Stuart in 2013 and then captured a first Open Championship a week later at Muirfield.
Rickie Fowler has Phil Mickelson to thank in capturing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie
Fowler had shared breakfast with Mickelson heading to the last round and later singled out his compatriot for praise.
“I had breakfast with Phil this morning and he made sure I was well aware what he had done two years ago in winning the Scottish Open and then The Open, so I told him I would try and take care of the first leg of it, so I got that done,” said Fowler to reporters.
“Phil has always been a role model to me and a huge help, and someone I love spending time with on and off the golf course.
“I have learned a lot from Phi as he is a great professional and while I need to tighten-up a few things I am sure I will be right next Thursday.”
Victory will take Fowler to a career high World No. 5 and renewed thoughts of challenging the game’s top-two ranked players in Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth for the No. 1 ranking.
“I still have a lot of work to do but this win is definitely a step in the right direction and nice win going into next week,” he said.
Rickie Fowler wins for only a second time outside of the U.S. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
“Jordan has been playing some incredibly golf, and it’s fun to see but it’s also inspirational for me to get keep on my game and continue to play well.
“So I am very excited to win the Scottish Open and hopefully it will move me forward and to having a great week at St. Andrews, and you never know that down the road there could be some good tussles with me, Rory and Jordan.”
Fellow American Matt Kuchar (68) and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin (70) shared second place on 11-under par.
Jacquelin along with England’s Daniel Brooks and Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg earned places in this coming week’s Open Championship in finishing the leading three in the top-10 finishers not already qualified for The Open.
Jacquelin, and a four-time Tour winner, went within 18 inches of an eagle and forcing a play-off for an eventual birdie at the last.
Brooks, who led on both day two and three, carded a round of 73 to share seventh place on nine under par and in what will be first Open appearance and a first Major for the London-born golfer.
“Overall it’s been a great week as I’ve played some lovely golf,” said Brooks to reporters.
“But then I have scrambled like you would not believe over the last two days, and to get a final spot for The Open, I’m over the moon.”
Karlberg, who shared 10th place at eight under par, secured his place also into a first Open, off the World Rankings and denying Korean Y.E Yang, winner of 2009 PGA Championship, who was 75 spots lower.
