Rickie Fowler goes low on Sunday to win Hero World Challenge

Rickie Fowler blitzed the field at Albany, bringing home the Hero World Challenge title and closing out 2017 on a high note.

The Hero World Challenge isn’t an official PGA TOUR event, but there was nothing “unofficial” about the way Rickie Fowler raced to victory at Albany on Sunday.

Fowler, just ten days shy of his 29th birthday, had the gallery on their feet all day, with the 59 watch in full effect early. He opened his final round with a ridiculous seven straight birdies, and he drained eight on the front nine alone.

The four-time PGA TOUR champion came into the finale sitting seven shots behind 54-hole leader Charley Hoffman. Fowler wanted to make a move early, and the plan worked perfectly.

"“I knew I needed to get off to a quick start today to at least show Charley I was there and get up there on the board a little bit,” Fowler said. “Seven [consecutive birdies] was the most I’d made before.”"

At the turn, Fowler had the lead all to himself. On the second nine, he was essentially on cruise control the entire way. While plenty of players had time to chase, none came close. Hoffman floundered to a level-par 72, and the second-lowest round of the day belonged to Tommy Fleetwood, whose five-under 67 pushed him into a tie for third.

What’s ahead in 2018 for Rickie Fowler?

With this victory, his eighth worldwide, Fowler closed out his third year with multiple worldwide wins. In addition, the 61 was both his lowest round as a pro, and it broke the previous course record of 62, set in 2015 by Justin Rose.

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While so much of this week’s attention went to Tiger Woods, Fowler deserves a ton of respect for this effort. He’s been a player on the verge of true greatness for a number of years now. No, this wasn’t a Sunday charge at the Masters, but he did take down a dozen or so legitimate major contenders along the way.

Currently No. 7 in the Official World Golf Rankings, Fowler will now set his sights on that first full week in April, and beyond. He told media after the tournament that he felt like he had sharpened his game recently, after playing several practice rounds with Woods at their home course in Jupiter, Fla.

After the winter break, the focus moves entirely onto getting that elusive major title.

"“We only get four chances a year, so there’s four big weeks that we always think about it,” Fowler said. “But I put myself in position to be in contention at majors so we’re just going to keep knocking at the door.”"

Next: Tiger Woods's successful return promises big things for golf world

If Fowler keeps knocking like this in 2018, lots of doors are going to open – fast.