Rickie Fowler Happy to Make British Open Cut, But He Has A Bigger Goal This Fall

Fowler advanced to the weekend at Hoylake, where he's been spending time with U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson.

HOYLAKE, England - Rickie Fowler finished second in the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool and while he is 13 shots behind leader Brian Harman after 36 holes this week, making the cut was his first goal on Friday.

Mission accomplished, but it wasn’t easy.

Making the turn at 1-over, Fowler was comfortably inside the 3-over cut line, but bogeys at the 11th and 13th put his weekend plans squarely on the last five holes.

With the light fading, a mist in the air and the temperature dropping, Fowler’s 10:10 EST (3:10 BST) tee time looked more precarious than it should, making Fowler’s ability to make the cut even more difficult.

“It was tough coming in and felt like the body was starting to slow down a little bit,” Fowler said after a 2-over 73. “But yeah, just trying to get it in to make sure we had a tee time tomorrow.”

The newly minted Rocket Mortgage champion joked that if you need a par, I’m your guy as he parred the last five holes. He's happy to be part of the weekend festivities.

“Having a tee time on the weekend at the majors is better than back in the bag,” Fowler said with a smile. “So, I will take whatever we can get. But it was a little interesting, but glad that's behind us. Free us up a little bit and go play some golf this weekend."

Fowler understands he would need a tremendous amount of help from leader Brian Harman and others, but he also has other goals, like making the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Over the last couple of nights, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, and Jordan Spieth have had Fowler over for dinner and of course the discussion has been on Ryder Cup.

“On my mind, or towards the top of the list, if not the top,” Fowler said of his Ryder Cup focus. “I think he (Johnson) knows that all of us, that's our main goal is to make it on that team.”

Fowler has been on a hot streak and every one of those good finishes has said "pick me," as Fowler is too far back to get an automatic pick, he will have to hope for one of the six captain’s picks from Johnson.

Starting the season in 48th in Ryder Cup points, Fowler is currently 12th on the list and depending on his finish could move past Sam Burns, who missed the cut.

“I've continued to play well and move myself up that list,” Fowler said. “Being that I wasn't really in position last year to put any points towards my name, but to have a chance finally this year to play well. I felt like if I accomplished playing well and consistently, and ultimately getting a win that would help me make it to that team.”