Rickie Fowler, who received an exemption to play in this week’s PGA Championship, survived blustery conditions Thursday, carding an opening-round 71 (-1) at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. That puts Fowler, the world’s 128th-ranked golfer, in a tie for 16th and just four shots off the lead currently held by Canadian Corey Conners at five-under. After a prolonged slump—he failed to qualify for last month’s Masters, instead watching the tournament from home—Fowler feels he’s finally turned the corner, and for that, he has NBA legend Michael Jordan to thank.
“Playing against MJ is as good as it gets for prep,” said Fowler (h/t to ESPN's Bob Harig), a member at Jordan’s exclusive Grove XXIII golf club in Hobe Sound, Florida. “I think not having to hand over any money to MJ has been probably some of the bigger wins because of how Grove sets up for him.”
A prolific heckler known for his ruthless trash talking, Jordan made a career out of getting under opponents’ skin, a trait that apparently extends well beyond the hardwood. “I was seven-under par through 17 holes [recently] and lost,” said Fowler, who typically gives the Chicago Bulls great a 10-stroke cushion when they play together. “And he’s not quiet about it.”
Fowler, who was paired with Adam Scott and Tyrell Hatton for Thursday’s 7:38 AM tee time, shot two-under on the back nine, birdieing the 11th (a Par 5) and 14th (Par 3) holes. The 32-year-old missed the cut the last time the PGA Championship was staged at Kiawah Island in 2012. Fowler has appeared in 12 tour events this year with his best finish coming at April’s Valero Texas Open in San Antonio (17th).
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