It has been a protracted three years for Rickie Fowler and on Sunday on the 2022 Zozo Championship he has a possibility to squash all his previous critics. Getting round Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club with a 4-under 66 on Saturday, Fowler stands at 14 underneath via three rounds and instructions a slim lead over Keegan Bradley at 13 underneath, Andrew Putnam at 12 underneath and Viktor Hovland at 11 underneath.
Playing in the ultimate pairing alongside Putnam in the third spherical, Fowler hardly appeared as if he was a yr faraway from his final competition run. Two birdies on his outward half had been accompanied by three on his inward half and just one bogey — his lone blemish over his final 36 holes.
While the collective golf public might be behind Fowler in the ultimate spherical of the Zozo Championship, his return to prominence is not going to come with out stress. Fowler has struggled as a 54-hole chief all through his tenure on the PGA Tour, changing solely two of eight prior probabilities into victories together with his final triumph on the 2019 WM Phoenix Open.
Last in this place on the 2021 CJ Cup at The Summit Club, Fowler struggled early and sometimes 51 weeks in the past and in the end gave option to Rory McIlroy. There isn’t any McIlroy in this area, however that isn’t to say his pursuers may be glanced over. Bradley can ball-strike with the perfect of them, Putnam is in the midst of a stellar seven-tournament stretch and Hovland is nicely, Hovland and able to absolutely anything.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this situation. Last year at CJ [CUP] was in a similar situation, but other than that, there hasn’t been much the last few years,” Fowler stated. “Obviously remember being in those situations before, but no, it will be tough tomorrow, but also fun. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m going to have to play well and continue to do what I’ve been doing the last three days. Keegan [Bradley], Putty [Andrew Putnam] on down the list, there’s plenty of guys within a few shots. I’m out front, in control, but that can change if I don’t execute like I have been.”
The chief
1. Rickie Fowler (-14)
Fowler started the week congratulating Tom Kim and his former caddie Joe Skovron on their victory on the Shriners Children’s Open and now he finds himself in place to seize a trophy of his personal. Motivation has by no means been fleeting for Fowler as critics run wild and his latest swing modifications solely empowered these to come back out of the woodworks.Â
The iron play has appeared extraordinarily sharp via three rounds, however more importantly, he’s beginning to putt like classic Fowler once more. While many prefer to level to his full swing as the reason for his poor play, it has truly been the flat stick which has let the 33-year-old down. Losing strokes on the greens the final two seasons on the PGA Tour, he has shortly rectified this case. While the complete swing will certainly come underneath stress in the warmth of competition — and the motive force must be on the eyes of viewers — with Fowler it has and at all times will come right down to the putter.
Other contenders
2. Keegan Bradley (-13)
3. Andrew Putnam (-12)
4. Viktor Hovland (-11)
T5. Maverick McNealy, Cameron Champ, Hayden Buckley (-10)
T8. Sahith Theegala, Taylor Moore, Tom Hoge, Ryo Hisatsune, Joel Dahmen, Matthew NeSmith (-9)
Earlier this week, a query was posed on the First Cut Podcast whether or not Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young or Hovland will seize essentially the most victories in the 2022-23 season. My CBS Sports colleague Kyle Porter was the lone man to pick out Hovland and should be grinning in the meanwhile.
Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club is an beautiful match for the Norwegian as he is likely one of the finest ball strikers in this area and has displayed this via 54 holes. Hitting all 18 greens in regulation in Round 3, if Hovland is ready to preserve issues this stress free on Sunday, it might be him and never Fowler who notches a win for Oklahoma State.
“It’s just kind of simple golf. Like there’s not too much water, but there’s just some really good tee shots out here. Not the widest fairways and the rough is penal, so you’ve got to drive it well,” Hovland stated. “If you put it in the fairway, you’re going to have a lot of good short irons with the greens being so soft and pure, so you can really attack the pins, and if you get the putter going, you can make some birdies.”
2022 Zozo Championship up to date odds and picks
- Rickie Fowler: 11/5
- Keegan Bradley: 12/5
- Viktor Hovland: 6-1
- Andrew Putnam: 15/2
- Maverick McNealy: 20-1
- Cameron Champ: 25-1
- Hayden Buckley: 40-1
- Sahith Theegala: 40-1
- Tom Hoge 45-1
- Matthew NeSmith: 60-1
- Taylor Moore: 75-1
- Joel Dahmen: 80-1
The coronary heart says Fowler will get off the schneid and wins the Zozo Championship. His worth is comparatively truthful and I do not thoughts indulging simply for the very fact it’s Fowler. Unfortunately, golf has a manner of ripping hearts out and Hovland stands out as the participant to do exactly that.Â
The world No. 11 might want to hit a number of more fairways, however for a driver of his caliber, this must be achievable. He has quietly grow to be among the finest putters in the world courting again to final summer time and mixed together with his ball-striking prowess, he’ll put a ton of stress on Fowler, and probably sufficient to interrupt him.Â