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A Fowler, McIlroy Final Round Pairing? Yes Please

By Christian Paszko

JUNO BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Rory McIlroy of the American Nurses Foundation team and Rickie Fowler of the CDC Foundation team look on from the fourth green during the TaylorMade Driving Relief Supported By UnitedHealth Group on May 17, 2020 at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
JUNO BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Rory McIlroy of the American Nurses Foundation team and Rickie Fowler of the CDC Foundation team look on from the fourth green during the TaylorMade Driving Relief Supported By UnitedHealth Group on May 17, 2020 at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to say that Rickie Fowler will be in the final group of a PGA Tour event, but here we are, and it’s true, it’s true. He’ll be joined by Rory McIlroy as the last to tee off on Sunday.

I wrote earlier this week about how 2022 was a chance at a fresh start for Rickie Fowler. He missed the FedEx Cup playoffs 2021, and even though he was cut from the Shriners last week, he played well in the 2nd round. I thought, maybe he could carry some momentum coming into the CJ Cup. Well folks, I might have actually gotten one right for once in my life.

Fowler reflected on his struggles over the past year stating, “When you’re in those low points, there’s times when you wonder like am I ever going to back in that position. Obviously you believe you can, but there’s those thoughts of like golf is obviously one of the most humbling sports there is and you can never take it for granted.”

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That’s some great stuff from the 32-year old as he returns to a position he hasn’t been in in a while, the top of the leaderboard. Rickie put together a nine under 63 to take sole possession of the lead. He’s currently -21 for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy made quite the climb himself on this Vegas version of moving day. Rory was unconscious out there today. A 10-under 62 to be precise. Including a stretch of five straight birdies and a scintillating walk-off eagle on the 18th. McIlroy balled hard out at The Summit on Saturday.

McIlroy’s strut was on display, you know he one I”m talking about. The one where he has everything working and he has confidence as high as Mount Everest, that one. That means he’ll likely be a big factor tomorrow in the final round.

Rory McIlroy is coming off of an up and down year. He did have a win at the Wells Fargo Championship in April and was part of the massive 7-man playoff for the bronze medal in the Olympics. He was also cut at The Masters and The Players, so he had some inconsistency.

Next. 2021 Shriners Open: Winners and Losers in Las Vegas. dark

I love seeing both of these men atop the leaderboard. Once upon a time they were in that group of 20-somethings ready to take the tour by storm. For a while, they did, recently, not so much.

I would love nothing more than to see either one win. If I had to choose, I’d rather have Fowler, but if McIlroy wins that’s great too. Either way, the final round should be very entertaining. It would be a monumental win for his confidence if Rickie Fowler emerges victorious.

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