A four foot biride at the last hole handed Rickie Fowler a one shot lead in a round of 68 on day three of the Barclays Championship.
Fowler, 27 is looking not only to win for a second occasion this year but also secure one of three USA Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ picks when Captain Davis Love 111 announces the picks on Monday.
Fowler captured the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship earlier this year in the UAE capital and now is in prime position to win his first PGA Tour title since landing the prestigious Players Championship some 15 months ago at TPC Sawgrass.
And in a remarkable stat, Fowler’s had just one bogey over the 54 holes on the Bethpage Park Black course and that was the ninth hole on day one of the $US 8.5m event.
American Rickie Fowler birdies the last to take an important one shot lead into the final round of the Barclays. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“It was a fun day. I knew it was going to be tough,” he said.
“I knew the golf course was going to start to play tougher, being later in the afternoon. I got to see it dry out a little bit yesterday afternoon. I knew it would continue to do the same today. So just had to keep swinging well and it was nice to make some of the up-and-downs today and see a few putts go in. Successful day and I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow”.
And when quizzed was he more impressed with moving to nine-under par or three rounds with only one bogey he responded: “More so the no bogey, I mean, for the most part, just having the one on 9, which was a serious lipout.
“So yeah, basically looking at it as I hit a good putt there, and thought I made the putt. So it was basically like going 54 holes, no bogeys. Around this place, I’m happy about that. It’s been very close to having the game be where it is right now.”
However Fowler can be assured not to have it all his own way on the final day with compatriot Patrick Reed (71) in second place at eight under par and former Barclays winner Adam Scott shooting the best round of the day, a 65 to be in third place at seven under par.
In fact, there is nine players and among them World No. 1 Jason Day and the defending champion, who shot a 70 for a four under par tally, within four shots of the lead.
