PGA Tour: Rickie Fowler tees up chance to end 40-month winless run in Japan
Rickie Fowler reflects on the struggle of the last few years as he has a chance to become a six-time PGA Tour winner at the ZOZO Championship in Japan.
Rickie Fowler admitted he's looking forward to the challenge of teeing it up in the final group in a PGA Tour event at the ZOZO Championship as he attempts to end a 40-month winless run.
Fowler, 33, is a five time PGA Tour winner but his struggles have been well documented in recent years. He has fallen down rankings and is now 160th in the world having previously been as high as fourth.
Despite flirting with some success in the majors it has been a fairly miserable time on Tour for Fowler, who has gone back to working with Butch Harmon.
Related: Fowler admits he misses former caddie Joe Skovron
He is playing at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Japan on a sponsor's exemption and has been in fine form this week, opening with a 4-under 67 and following that with a bogey-free 63.
Fowler moved to 14-under par for the championship on Saturday with a round of 66 for a one-stroke lead over the American Keegan Bradley.
"It's been a while since I've been in this situation," Fowler told the media, who last won at the 2019 Phoenix Open.
"Last year at [the] CJ [Cup] I was in a similar situation, but other than that, there hasn't been much the last few years.
"Obviously, [I] remember being in those situations before, but no, it will be tough tomorrow, but also fun.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm going to have to play well and continue to do what I've been doing the last three days.
"[There is] Keegan [to contend with], Putty [Andrew Putnam] on down the list, there's plenty of guys within a few shots. I'm out front, in control, but that can change if I don't execute like I have been."
Fowler will have to fend off the likes of Andrew Putnam, whom he alluded to in his comments and the Norwegian Viktor Hovland, who is two strokes off the pace.
Related: Tommy Fleetwood meets his superfan at ZOZO
Cameron Champ and the exciting youngster Sahith Theegala are also inside the top-10.
The defending champion, Hideki Matsuyama, shot his lowest round of the week on a dry Saturday with a 66 in front of his home crowd, but the 2021 Masters champion is considerably off the pace.
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