Rickie Fowler’s window of opportunity

No wonder Rickie Fowler fancies his chances of becoming a major champion at The Open this week. 

The world number five will tee off at St Andrews tomorrow having enhanced his prospects and shortened his odds thanks to the American’s come from behind victory on the links at Gullane last Sunday in the Scottish Open.

Following two months on from his Players Championship victory at TPC Sawgrass, the 26-year-old has finally shattered the illusion that for all his talents, he is unable to close a deal. And given his strong Open record of two top-five finishes in five starts, including a tie with Sergio Garcia for second behind Rory McIlroy last year at Hoylake, Fowler looks like he has ticked all the boxes coming into the third major of the year, particularly with McIlroy absent due to injury.