Golf-Focused Fowler embraces worst of the weather

SANDWICH, England, July 16 (Reuters) - Rickie Fowler might have the

laid-back look of a sun-loving surfer but the Californian youngster faced down wintry conditions on Saturday to prove he has the hard-nosed attitude needed to make it all the way to the top of the golfing tree.

Fowler’s two-under 68 in the third round of the British Open at Royal St George’s would have been an impressive score at any time but coming after most of his rivals struggled on the wrong side of par in brutal conditions, it was nothing short of spectacular.

It was achieved too with a calm, methodical, truly professional approach that belied his youth.

While playing partner and pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy chaotically tried to don his waterproofs two holes into Saturday’s deluge, Fowler had been long-insulated against the worst of the elements in an effective, if garish white and orange affair.

As dozens of the world’s leading players trudged in from their rounds complaining about the “brutal” and “impossible” conditions, Fowler said he was determined to embrace them.

WATSON EXAMPLE

“A great example, obviously someone that’s played pretty well over here for a long time is Tom Watson,” Fowler told reporters in the wake of the 61-year-old’s similarly impressive round of 72.

“We watched a little bit of the TV coverage prior to us going out and saw how he looked like he was having fun, smiling and embracing the conditions,” Fowler said after finishing on two-under 208.

“The best way to deal with tough and hard conditions is just go out and try and make a good time of it.

“You have to embrace where you’re at and what’s in front of you. We knew it was going to play hard and we knew it was going to be tough to make any birdies out there. But when you make the best of it and go at it with the right attitude, 68 is possible.”

Fowler dropped shots at the second and 11th but gained a shot at the fifth and came home with three more birdies in the final six holes.

He was calm and composed throughout—as he has been all week—and, unlike many of his colleagues from the U.S. PGA Tour, seemed comfortable with the creative demands of Royal St George’s in the wind.

“I love links golf, I love the variety and the options you get on the course,” said the American who shot 67, 71, 67 after a disappointing 79 start in last year’s Open at St Andrews.

“There’s so many ways you can play one shot and I feel like I can hit different shots. It was awesome today, I felt like I was very in control of my game.

“This weather definitely makes me concentrate and pick out what shot I’m trying to hit, makes me focus a bit harder.”

It was the third day in a row Fowler partnered fellow 22-year-old Rory McIlroy and the American had the best of things on Saturday as the newly-crowned U.S. Open champion carded a 74 after a double-bogey on 14 to end the day six shots behind his rival.

“People always ask about our friendship or if we enjoy playing together—we love playing together,” said the Californian.

“It’s always fun playing with someone you enjoy being around but at the same time we’re trying to beat each other.

“(His U.S. Open win) definitely motivated me and gave me more confidence just because obviously we’re a similar age and at a similar part of our career, though I’d say he’s a step ahead of me.

“He’s got a couple of wins and a major under his belt.”

Fowler has yet to win a professional tournament of any sort but nobody who watched him on Saturday is ruling out the possibility of him breaking his duck in spectacular style.

“I’d love for my first win to be a major,” he said. “And I’d love for it to be here.”