Rickie Fowler feeling better than ever for FedEx Cup playoffs
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[August 10, 2023]
Although it's been over a month since his last top-10 finish,
Rickie Fowler is as confident as ever heading into this week's FedEx
St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tenn.
Fowler prevailed in a three-way playoff at the Rocket Mortgage
Classic back on July 2, but has since tapered off, finishing tied
for 42nd two weeks later at the Genesis Scottish Open before a T23
at The Open Championship on July 23.
It's a stark contrast from how Fowler was playing before his victory
at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The 34-year-old had seemingly found
his stride, placing inside the top 15 in seven of the eight events
prior to his lone title this season, although he did miss the cut at
the PGA Championship back in May.
Despite not being able to replicate those types of performances
during the final two tournaments of the regular season, Fowler
figures the playoffs are as good a time as any to get back on track.
"Excited, probably the best I've come into the playoffs as far as a
consistent year and how I've been playing," Fowler said. "Nice to
come off of getting a little bit of rest, because I was kind of
running on an empty tank at the Scottish and the British.
"That was the last of -- eight out of 10-week stretch. Got a few
days to kind of recharge a little bit at home and get ready for this
three-week stretch."
Fowler is also excited about getting the playoffs started at TPC
Southwind, where he shot a first-round 65 last year before
struggling over the next three days and carding a 71, 72 and 73 to
finish T64 at 1-over 281.
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However, Fowler would be open to playing at some
new courses during the postseason.
"I like this golf course. I think with the playoffs, it could be
kind of cool and interesting to see some more movement," Fowler
said. "East Lake has kind of always been East Lake and the finale.
I think it would be kind of cool to see the Playoffs move around a
little bit. I think the only one that really does is the second with
BMW. ... Like I said, I do enjoy coming to Memphis. I've had success
at this golf course. I like this place. They've got some good eats
around here, too."
Fowler enters the first playoff event with the ninth-most FedEx Cup
points, but he still knows it's going to take a lot to outlast the
rest of the field.
"Done a lot of good things this year," Fowler said. "There's guys
that have definitely played better and won more, but it really comes
down to these three weeks, and we have a real chance, but going to
need to play really well."
--Field Level Media
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