Rickie Fowler needed to rebound from his poor showing at the U.S. Open and he did just that Sunday at the Scottish Open.
With winds blowing 15-25 mph, Fowler put on a furious finish with birdies at three of his final four holes. The crowning touch of that run was his final approach shot of the day at the 72nd hole.
Fowler was 11-under and tied with Matt Kuchar for the lead. Fowler stuck his approach within two feet and tapped in for a closing birdie and a winning 12-under par 268 and a closing round of 68.
Fowler then had to watch Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin hit his approach into the 18th. Jacqueline would need to hole it to tie Fowler. He came close, it stopped within three feet and he had to be content with a second place tie with Kuchar. Jacquelin did come away with a big consolation prize. His finish got him into the Open Championship this coming week at St. Andrews.
But it is Fowler who will carry in a truckload of momentum.
“I made a lot of good swings coming in,” Fowler said afterward. “I saved the best swing for last.”
Things went Fowler’s way early when he managed to par the difficult opening hole by sinking a par-saving putt from 25 feet.
The blustery conditions made it a struggle for most of the field and particularly overnight leader Daniel Brooks. Brooks went 15 holes before he was finally able to make a birdie and he would finish with 73 and a tie for ninth at nine-under par.
