Rickie Fowler seems to have a knack for playing in front of big crowds and big spots. He flexed his game in front of a large gallery on Thursday, opening the Waste Management Phoenix Open with a 6-under 65 at TPC Scottsdale that has him in a share of the Round 1 lead with Shane Lowry and Hideki Matsuyama.
Play was suspended due to darkness and will resume in the morning.
“I like playing in front of the big crowds and how crazy the fans can get, and being kind of acclimated to the atmosphere here definitely helps,” Fowler said.
Not only does Fowler have some experience in front of this large, alcohol-fueled crowd, but the scene reminds him of the sports he grew up watching.
“I grew up around action sports, and this kind of reminds me more of being at action sports event, and the fans being loud and having fun,” he said.
Starting on No. 10, Fowler birdied three of his first four holes, then hit his first of two big shots on the par-5 15th. Using a 5-wood he developed with sponsor Cobra’s help and recently put in his bag, he got to the green in two and sank the 28-footer for an eagle.
As it turned out, Fowler stumbled on the crowded par-3 16th, missing the green and failing to get up-and-down for par.
However, Fowler ended the round with a bang. After finding a fairway bunker with his tee shot on the par-4 ninth, the world No. 4 decided to try a hero shot from 171 yards. It worked.
“It’s not one that you try and pull off a lot,” he said. “Definitely at home, but tournament golf sometimes you don’t try and do that. Just kind of went with it. I knew I could hit it but I had to hit it perfect. Opened up a 7-iron, … hit a big, high cut, and caught it pretty much perfect.”
Fowler ended the round with a 12-foot birdie putt to grab a share of the lead.
On Friday, Fowler should get a chance to show off in front of another huge crowd. Even better, he should show up at the 16th right in the middle of happy hour.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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