Open Championship power rankings: Top ten at Royal Birkdale

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

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TROON, SCOTLAND – JULY 16: Rickie Fowler of the United States tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the AAM Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Golf Course on July 16, 2017 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Four or five years ago, people still thought of Fowler as little more than an orange-clad merchandise mover. These days, of course, that thought should be long gone, but expectations on Fowler are still sky high. The question is, when will the breakthrough finally come?

If you’ve followed my writing over the past few months, you know I’m as high on Fowler this year as anybody. He finished tied for 11^th at the Masters, and then fifth at the U.S. Open, where he stayed within two shots of the lead after each of the first three rounds. He’s finished in the top-25 in 10 of 14 PGA TOUR starts this year, and he’s coming off a ninth-place tie at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

So, while Fowler may not be my personal favorite this week, I’ve still got him right up there in contention. In Fowler, you’re looking at a player who’s about as well-rounded as they come. He’s driving the ball well (35^th on TOUR in driving accuracy), hitting greens (68.52% greens-in-regulation, 28^th on TOUR), and sinking a bunch of putts (fourth in birdie average, third in strokes gained: putting). Tough to build a better Champion Golfer of the Year than that.

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