This has been a surprising tournament through the first two rounds, with many of the top players missing the cut, including McIlroy, Day and Johnson. None of the top 12 or so players on the leaderboard have won a major. Erin Hills, in the middle of Wisconsin farm land, is hosting the event for the first time.
Rickie Fowler has been at or near the lead so far; Patrick Reed is lurking. The media has decided that if they can't have Tiger, Rickie will do. He's always gotten lots of hype beyond his accomplishments on the course, but now the media is all but holding "Go Rickie" signs. (((Alan Shipnuck))) of SI was interviewed yesterday and gushed about how Fowler was the most popular player on the tour, and was the only one who is "loved" by the fans. He then quadrupled down and actually compared Fowler to Arnold Palmer, because of the way he handles himself with fans and the way he lives his life.
I have no idea how Fowler lives his life, but I do know he's all about marketing himself with eager corporations. Palmer of course was a very shrewd businessman, but not until he had proved himself as a top player with multiple majors. And on the course? Blank-faced Fowler is about as emotionless as Retief Goosen, but somehow his exotic background turns that into boundless "charisma." I have nothing against Fowler, but I do against the media, which is why I'll be rooting for him to fall short again in a major. Would be nice to see Patrick Reed break through.
Rickie Fowler has been at or near the lead so far; Patrick Reed is lurking. The media has decided that if they can't have Tiger, Rickie will do. He's always gotten lots of hype beyond his accomplishments on the course, but now the media is all but holding "Go Rickie" signs. (((Alan Shipnuck))) of SI was interviewed yesterday and gushed about how Fowler was the most popular player on the tour, and was the only one who is "loved" by the fans. He then quadrupled down and actually compared Fowler to Arnold Palmer, because of the way he handles himself with fans and the way he lives his life.
I have no idea how Fowler lives his life, but I do know he's all about marketing himself with eager corporations. Palmer of course was a very shrewd businessman, but not until he had proved himself as a top player with multiple majors. And on the course? Blank-faced Fowler is about as emotionless as Retief Goosen, but somehow his exotic background turns that into boundless "charisma." I have nothing against Fowler, but I do against the media, which is why I'll be rooting for him to fall short again in a major. Would be nice to see Patrick Reed break through.
