Agony for Rickie Fowler As Final Round Collapse Scuppers 2023 US Open Title Bid

• Rickie Fowler collapsed in the final round to extend his winless streak in the majors
• He finished tied for fifth after shooting a five-over-par 75 on Sunday
• Fowler led after each of the first three rounds of the 2023 U.S. Open

Rickie Fowler’s quest to win his first major championship ended in disappointment on Sunday after a calamitous final round in the 2023 U.S. Open.

He bogeyed three of his first seven holes to immediately fall four shots behind eventual champion, Wyndham Clark. Fowler couldn’t recover from that poor start, finishing with a five-over-par 75.

He ended up tied for fifth with a five-under-par total of 275, per Golf Channel.

It was still a great result considering the form Fowler was in before the year started. His ranking had fallen to 185th worldwide after missing 18 cuts in 28 tournaments in 2021 and 2022.

Fowler's majors title drought continues

Aaron Judge destroys outfield wall to make sensational catch in Yankees’ win over Dodgers

MLB

That said, this one hurts for Fowler as he was on the cusp of ending his winless streak in the majors. He started this year’s U.S. Open like a house on fire, carding a record-setting eight-under-par 62 in the opening round to grab a share of the lead with Xander Schauffele, per CNN.

Fowler continued his solid play in the second round, firing a 68 to grab a one-shot lead over Clark at the halfway stage. He birdied 18 of the 36 holes he played through the first two rounds to put himself in a great position to end his title drought.

He had an opportunity to grab the solo lead entering the final round of the U.S. Open but had a costly three-putt bogey on the closing hole of the third round.

He nearly made birdie with his long attempt, but his putt grazed the cup. Fowler compounded his woes by missing the ensuing putt for par, causing him to fall into a tie for first place with Clark at 10-under.

Nuggets vs Heat Game 2: NBA Twitter reacts to wild finish as Vincent and Robinson explode

NBA

That was a sign of things to come for Fowler, who failed to become the ninth wire-to-wire winner of the U.S. Open.

Fans blast Fowler after meltdown

Trolls took to social media to make fun of Fowler’s collapse. Some compared him to Jimmy Butler, who was great in the first three rounds of the playoffs before disappointing in the Finals.

U.S. Open purse breakdown

Sports Brief recently reported on the U.S. Open prize money breakdown.

The year's third major boasts an impressive total purse of $20 million.

Clark, who won by one stroke over Rory McIlroy, will take home $3.6mil.