Pro Golf Now
Fansided

2021 Zozo Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Narashino CC

By Mike Randleman

Sep 2, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Hideki Matsuyama plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Hideki Matsuyama plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
Oct 17, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Rickie Fowler tees off on the second during the final round of the CJ Cup golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Rickie Fowler tees off on the second during the final round of the CJ Cup golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Could last week be the jolt Rickie Fowler needs? He’s back in the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings after falling out two different times this year. Fowler ended 2020 at No. 53.

The 32-year-old owned a two-shot lead at the 54-hole mark at the CJ Cup and finished T-3rd. It was his highest result since the Honda Classic in February/March 2019 where he was T-2nd. Fowler’s last win was shortly before that at the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The former Oklahoma State Cowboy closed in 1-under 71 at the CJ Cup, but a round in the 60s was necessary to fend off Rory McIlroy who won by one over Collin Morikawa and three over Fowler and 36-hole leader, Keith Mitchell.

Fowler was tied for first in the CJ Cup field with fewest bogeys (two) and was first in strokes gained off the tee (5.517 total) as well as SG tee to green (8.994).

The orange-clad man was also 10th in SG around the green (2.231 total). Fowler just didn’t hole enough putts on the weekend where he lost ground both days.

He failed to qualify for the 2020-21 FedEx Cup Playoffs and has played just twice in the new season. Fowler missed the cut the week prior to the CJ Cup at the Shriners Children’s Open.

He should be both rested and reenergized to ship off to Japan, a place that has meaning to him and his family.

“I can’t wait to play in my first Zozo Championship in Japan,” Fowler was quoted by the PGA Tour. “It was awesome playing last year at Sherwood, but I’m really looking forward to my first experience in front of the legendary fans in Japan. Japan plays a unique part in my own personal family history, so being able to go back there and playing in front of those fans will be something very special to me and my family. I would especially love to win this one for my grandpa, Tanaka, who introduced me to the game of golf.”

The CJ Cup was Fowler’s fifth top-25 of 2021. He ranked 12th on the PGA Tour last season in SG around the green (.343), which should help him at a tight track like Narashino if his ball striking can’t quite replicate from last week.

Home/Golf Power Rankings