PGA Championship: Rickie Fowler in 'good spot' as he eyes maiden major
Friday 11 August 2017 20:47, UK
Rickie Fowler believes remaining composed and backing his strategy will be paramount as he bids for a maiden major title at the PGA Championship after putting himself in a "good spot for the weekend".
The world No 10 mixed two birdies with a bogey on Friday and produced a blemish-free back nine as the 28-year-old followed up his opening round two-under 69 with a second round one-under 70.
Fowler acknowledges his biggest battle over the weekend will be to keep it "mellow and relaxed" and show respect to a course which he calls the "hardest test" in the majors this year.
"The big thing is staying patient, not getting ahead of ourselves and not trying to get too much out of it," said Fowler.
"Just kind of accepting the golf course and working our way around, managing it well. It's different than a normal tournament especially when you come to this venue with how tough it's playing.
"You can say you played defence a little bit, but it's not exactly like you are playing scared out there. You are playing smart and picking your way around the golf course."
Fowler, who won his first career PGA Tour title at Quail Hollow in 2012, feels "comfortable" in his surroundings despite some redesigning on some holes.
"I got to that point when I finished Top-5 in all four majors (in 2014) and felt good there," said Fowler.
"(Then) kind of at a standstill. This year I feel like it's been a new level of how comfortable and how good I felt in the majors. It's been a fun year. Definitely a big improvement from where I was last year in the majors."
