Color Me Impressed: Rickie Fowler's Remarkable Comeback

While cohort Rory McIlroy was making major championship history in the first round of the Open Championship at St. Andrews, Rickie Fowler was cowering in his first Open.  Fowler shot 79 in what was the easiest scoring day in the history of the Open at the Old Course.  He appeared headed for an embarrassing missed cut and was tied for worst American in the field with veteran Jerry Kelly.

Fowler, though, turned it around on Friday.  Flying way under the radar, the former OK State standout rallied in the second round for 67.  Helped tremendously by an afternoon of difficult conditions, Fowler was able to make the cut on the number (+2).  

The third round for Fowler was rather ho-hum, turning in a respectable 71 considering the scoring conditions that were tough as Friday though the pins were more acccessible.

On championship Sunday, Fowler finished with a flurry.  Fowler went out in one under par, which got him to even par for the Open - a remarkable comeback unto itself.  The final holes, though, were where the safety cone threw caution to the wind.  He made consecutive birdies on 13 and 14.  Fowler then made an incredible bomb of a putt for birdie on the Road Hole, the most difficult of the week.  Emboldened by his good fortune, Fowler made handy work of the last.

The end result?  Moving up almost 135 places in three days.  Among the players to make the cut, he was worst on day one by five shots.  Monty and Simon Khan were next with 74.  The European Ryder Cup captain finished T68 and Khan was T55.

Of the 27 players that shot 68 or better in round one, Fowler beat or tied all but seven.