Rickie Fowler hits back at ‘overrated’ poll

• Rickie Fowler reacts to poll which deemed him ‘overrated’
• “I guess top fives in four majors isn’t that good,” said the 26-year-old
• Says he’s up for a rivalry with Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth

Rickie Fowler has reacted bluntly to a poll which found he was the most overrated player among his fellow PGA Tour professionals and highlighted his performances in the four majors of 2014.

The anonymous survey, carried out by Sports Illustrated and Golf.com, resulted in Fowler and Ian Poulter both receiving 24% of the votes, with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson third and Hunter Mahan fourth.

The 26-year-old has just one PGA Tour win to his name – the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship – but finished in the top five at all four majors last year, becoming only the third players to do so after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

“I guess top fives in four majors isn’t that good” – Rickie Fowler

Asked whether the poll irritated him, Rickie Fowler said: “No. It’s fine by me. I’m going to try and play as well as I can this week and I’m going to take care of my business.

“I guess top fives in four majors isn’t that good. So one of three isn’t that good. Like I said, I’ll take care of my business and I’ll be just fine.”

Fowler shot a fine, three-under opening round of 69 on the first day of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, which could’ve been far lower as he was six-under after 11 holes.

The American is in good company on three-under with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and last year’s winner Martin Kaymer, and Fowler said he’s up for a rivalry with the world No.1 and Masters champion Jordan Spieth now that he’s playing well again.

He said: “We’re all good buddies, so I don’t think there’s going to be a hate rivalry or anything like that. There’s a lot of really good young players right now so you’re going to see a group of ten or so guys where any given week there could be two guys out in contention, and that’s the rivalry for the week.

“Obviously Rory and Jordan have distanced themselves right now being No.1 and No.2 in the world, Rory especially with the way he’s played the past year, year and a half.

“So some of us have some work to do to even talk about a rivalry, but I’m up for it. It’s nice to be back playing well, and we’ll see if we can get a little bit more out of the rounds moving forward.”

Rickie Fowler :: Overrated?

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