Rickie Fowler struggled mightily on Sunday at TPC Scottsdale, but recovered down the stretch with birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 to produce a final-round 3-over par 74 to claim victory at the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Fowler entered his final day at the Stadium Course holding a four-shot advantage but the 30-year old star never appeared comfortable while carding four-straight pars. He lost his first two strokes with a double-bogey on No. 5, then added four more pars to turn in 37. Despite a 2-over front-nine, Fowler remained four strokes in front as most of Sunday’s chasers couldn’t muster much scoring in the rain-soaked conditions.
A birdie on No. 10 seemed to settle things down for Fowler, but disaster followed on the 11th, when an errant chip shot landed in the water, leading to a triple-bogey 7. A bogey on the next hole saw him fall from the top spot for the first time all weekend. He regained the lead with a birdie on No. 15 and extended the advantage with another gain on No. 17 to finish 17-under par, two clear of Branden Grace.
PRO-FILE
Nationality: American
Height: 5′ 9″
Weight: 160 lb
Birthdate: December 13, 1988 (age 30)
Native: Murrieta, California
Residence: Jupiter, Florida
College: Oklahoma State
Turned Pro: 2009
FINAL SCORES
Pos-Player-To Par (Today)
1 Rickie Fowler -17 (+3)
2 Branden Grace -15 (-2)
3 Justin Thomas -14 (+1)
4 Chez Reavie -12 (-3)
4 Bubba Watson -12 (E)
4 Matt Kuchar -12 (+4)
THE EARLY ROUNDS
ROUND 1
1. Harold Varner III -7
1. Justin Thomas -7
1. Rickie Fowler -7
ROUND 2
1. Rickie Fowler -13 (-6)
2. Justin Thomas -12 (-5)
3. Trey Mullinax -11 (-7)
3. Branden Grace -11 (-7)
ROUND 3
1. Rickie Fowler -20 (-7)
2. Matt Kuchar -16 (-6)
3. Justin Thomas -15 (-3)
FOWLER’S STATS
Driving: 318.7 yards (11th)
Fairways: 39/56, 69.6% (3rd)
Greens: 52/72, 72.2% (13th)
Putting: 1.673 (6th)
Scores: 1 Eagle, 23 Birdies, 43 Pars, 3 Bogeys, 1 Triple
FOWLER’S VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Video via PGA TOUR Youtube
2018-19 PGA TOUR SEASON
Starts: 4
Cuts Made: 4
Wins: 1 (WM Phoenix Open)
Top 10s: 2 (1st Phoenix, 4th Shriners)
Money: $1,689,888 (8th)
Points: 668 (7th)
World Rank: 8th
CAREER VICTORIES
PGA Tour: 5
2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open
2017 The Honda Classic
2015 Deutsche Bank Championship
2015 The Players Championship
2012 Wells Fargo Championship
2010 Memorial Tournament
European Tour: 2
2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open
MONEY
With his win, Fowler earned $1,278,000.00 and 500 FedExCup points to move up to 7th place.
WORLD RANKING
Fowler received 56 OWGR points and will move to No. 8 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Credits: Getty Images, PGA Tour Media
