(AUDACY) Rickie Fowler, who received an exemption to play in the PGA Championship this week, survived blustery conditions Thursday, carding an opening-round 71 (-1) at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. That put Fowler, the world's 128th-ranked golfer, in a tie for 17th as of early in the evening and four shots off the lead currently held by Corey Conners at -5. After a prolonged slump — he failed to qualify for the Masters in April, 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 Bob Harig of ESPN), 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 Jordan a 10-stroke cushion when they play together. "And he's not quiet about it."
Fowler shot two-under on the back nine, birdieing the pair-5 11th and par-3 14th. He missed the cut the last time the PGA Championship was staged at Kiawah Island in 2012. Fowler has appeared in 12 PGA Tour events this year, with his best finish (17th) coming at the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio in April.
LISTEN on the Audacy app
Sign up and follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
