Fowler no longer wears blinding colors and his shaggy hair is long gone. But after years of struggle at major tournaments, the popular golfer quietly made U.S. Open history on Thursday.
The California native had previously played well at Los Angeles Country Club, but first rounds at major tournaments haven’t always gone smoothly. On Thursday, he found his game for a two-under 68.
The Los Angeles Country Club’s barranca, a narrow gully, winds through the course, providing drainage during rainy season and a challenge to the players.
Players are objecting to a proposed change from golf’s rulemakers to use new balls, but the U.S. Golf Association said Wednesday it would not abandon the plan.