Rickie Fowler made a strong start at The Open, shooting a 2-under 69, placing him in a tie for 10th as the tournament commenced at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. Remarkably, this opening round witnessed a historic achievement, with five players simultaneously sharing the lead at 4-under, a first since 1938.
Fowler secured his spot in The Open for the 13th time, thanks to a commendable top-10 finish at the Memorial Tournament. His familiarity with Royal Portrush adds to his confidence; he previously tied for sixth at this very course in 2019. Known for his prowess in The Open, Fowler has achieved four top-15 finishes over the years, including a notable runner-up finish in 2014.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the tournament, Fowler stated, “I love playing over here. It’s a style of golf I love to play. I know I can compete in any style of golf, but especially this.” He acknowledged the importance of a strong start, noting, “It’s nice to get off to a solid start, because you can take yourself out of the tournament pretty quickly with a poor round.”
Looking ahead, Fowler is set to begin his second round at 1:08 a.m. Central Time. His performance thus far raises hopes for another impressive showing at this iconic championship.