Rickie Fowler heads into the final round of the PGA Championship now looking to next month’s US Open for a hopeful breakthrough maiden Major Championship.

Fowler with earlier scores of a pair of 69s added a third round 71 to be at one-under par after three days on the Black Course at Bethpage Park.

The American’s third day was a mix of two birdies and three bogeys.

This week’s PGA is Fowler’s 38th apperance in a Major with his best finishes being back-to-back T2nds in the 2014 US Open and the 2014 Open Championship while Fowler was second behind Patrick Reed in the 2018 Masters.

And with Brooks Koepka headed for a second straight Rodman Wanamaker success, Fowler will now have to wait to Pebble Beach for that first Major.

However, after finishing his third round he was asked whether he felt the show that Koepka was starring was as ‘intimidating’ as Tiger Woods winning last month’s Masters.

“Well, at this point, that’s the case. I don’t look at it as an intimidation factor,” said Fowler.

“We’ve always looked at Brooks as one of the best players out here and I feel like it’s more of a level of respect. It’s not
necessarily, you know, scared of him or anything. I think he mentioned — or he made a good comment earlier in the week as far as Tiger being intimidating.

“We’re not worried; he’s not coming trying to hit me or anything. If Brooks was going to try and hit me, I’d want him on my side.

“But no, we’re all out here, we’re playing golf against each other. It’s not like I’m trying to catch a pass up the middle and he’s coming across to hit me. Although, in full contact golf, may be interesting. But no, it’s obviously great to see him play well and put together some rounds like he is right now.

“I know he just had some trouble in the middle of his round out there, but that kind of happens here at Bethpage.

It’s impressive stuff.”