Memories from 2009 Walker Cup at Merion
Even at 22, Rickie Fowler has become accustomed to playing in front of large crowds, training that started with his two appearances on the U.S. Walker Cup team, including the 2009 competition at Merion Golf Club.
Even at 22, Rickie Fowler has become accustomed to playing in front of large crowds, training that started with his two appearances on the U.S. Walker Cup team, including the 2009 competition at Merion Golf Club.
After shooting a 6-under-par 64 Saturday that moved him into a tie for the 54-hole lead with Nick Watney in the AT&T National, Fowler said he has said hello at Aronimink to three caddies who worked for the U.S. side at Merion, and appreciated the support he has received from people who saw him compete there.
"There have been plenty of people that have said they watched me in '09 that are out here this week," he said. "It's pretty cool to see that I've made a positive impact on some people and a good impression on them to come back out and watch me."
Sigel's number matched
Watney's course record matched the lowest score ever posted at Aronimink, a pair of 62s by Champions Tour player and club member Jay Sigel.
However, Sigel said his rounds did not count as a course record because he played them mostly from the member tees.
"I did win a few bucks, though," he quipped.
What a partnership!
The fourth pairing of Saturday, featuring Scott McCarron and Hunter Mahan, combined to go 9 under par, with McCarron firing a 65 and Mahan a 66. Their better-ball score was 60 (31-29), 10 birdies and no bogeys.
Mahan got the ball rolling with three birdies on his first four holes.
"Kind of got us going there," McCarron said to Mahan afterward.
"You could say I inspired you," Mahan quipped.
"He really inspired me today," McCarron deadpanned, on cue. "It was very inspiring. But he got out playing great, got a couple of birdies, and I hadn't made many birdies this week. And I just kind of followed in his wake."
Odds and ends
Vijay Singh, who finished two rounds at 2-under 138, withdrew before his third-round tee time because of a bad back. . . . Defending champion Justin Rose's course record of 64 that he shared with K.J. Choi was shattered, but he shot a 65 to move up to a tie for 20th at 207. . . . In the unofficial competition for low amateur, UCLA's Patrick Cantlay and Oklahoma State's Peter Uihlein each shot 71, allowing Cantlay to maintain his 3-shot lead. He has a 54-hole score of even-par 210.