BMW Championship: Rickie Fowler eyes Tour Championship after 1st spherical

Rickie Fowler is sort of conversant in Olympia Fields. He gained on the iconic venue in 2007, when he performed at Oklahoma State.

So unsurprisingly, he’s contending there once more this yr.

After opening with a 4-under 66 Thursday, Fowler sits one again of Rory McIlroy and Brian Harman on the BMW Championship.

The previous Cowboy wants a superb efficiency this week to solidify his standing in Atlanta for the Tour Championship.

At present ranked twelfth within the FedEx Cup rankings, Fowler has had East Lake on his thoughts for the reason that starting of the yr—solely the highest 30 golfers advance from the BMW Championship to the Tour Championship.

“You do not essentially need to win, however it’s a must to play effectively and have some good finishes to make it to East Lake,” Fowler mentioned.

“Having the ability to lock that up earlier than the Playoffs says lots concerning the yr, particularly with the win in there. Or you are able to do it the opposite approach, Lucas Glover-style, win and get in, after which win once more and lock it up that approach.”

Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos

Earlier than profitable the Rocket Mortgage Basic in early July, Fowler was within the midst of a victory drought that spanned seven years.

However he has turned it round in 2023, as he additionally has eight prime 10s and 16 prime 25s.

He has gotten near profitable a number of instances this yr too, and this week is not any exception. At one level, the 34-year-old shared the lead with McIlroy and Harman. However Fowler put his tee shot within the pond to the best of the seventeenth fairway and made a pricey bogey. That dropped him again to 4-under.

But, he’s nonetheless in rivalry, hoping to place himself additional into the Ryder Cup dialogue. Ought to he play effectively sufficient over the subsequent three days, Fowler may have a fairly good case for captain Zach Johnson.

Within the brief time period, nonetheless, Fowler is concentrated on Atlanta. He’s already within the area subsequent week, however that doesn’t imply he is not going to battle for one more win at Olympia Fields. A victory would vault Fowler up the FedEx Cup rankings, thus bettering the place he begins the Tour Championship within the handicapped format.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. You’ll be able to comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and on Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. You should definitely try @_PlayingThrough too.