The ‘best player without a Major’, Rickie Fowler, will start his 37th elite event on Thursday looking to shed the tag that threatens to throttle his hopes of becoming one of the game’s greats.
Five PGA TOUR titles, yes, but Fowler is still on the lookout for the one win that will elevate his status forever.
He has had a handful of near misses in the last five years, but has worked his way as the No 1 of the best players without a Major, a term that he sees as the bright side.
‘It’s a compliment in a way,’ said Fowler ahead of Thursday’s start at Pebble Beach.
‘Obviously there’re a lot of great players that haven’t won a major. It’s not necessarily something I think about or worry about. I know that when the time is right, it’s going to happen.’
A couple of Masters misses over the past four years, and one at the the 2014 PGA championship at Valhalla stand out among his closest runs.
‘I wouldn’t say I’ve necessarily had one in my hands and let it slip away, which is a good thing.’
Fowler continues to look on the bright side… maybe this week that attitude will pay off.
Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
