01 February 2019: PGA TOUR Update
Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas shared the early lead at the Waste Management Phoenix Open after shooting matching, 7-under 64s at TPC Scottsdale on Thursday.
They’re also sharing a house.
“I was really hoping I was going to make that last putt,” Fowler said of his birdie try from 24 feet at the par-4 9th hole, his last. “I hit it perfect and it kind of—I thought it was going to break a little more at the end, it didn’t. We’re sharing a house this week, so I wanted bragging rights at dinner tonight.”
Thomas, playing in the threesome just ahead of Fowler, birdied six of seven holes in the middle of his round.
“I was in control of everything from tee to green,” Thomas said.
Harold Varner III matched them with a 64 in the afternoon, making a three-way tie at the top, and Martin Laird and J.T. Poston were just a shot back.
Thomas hit 9/14 fairways, Fowler 11/14. Both hit 14 greens in regulation and made roughly 85 feet worth of putts, Thomas a few feet less and Fowler a few feet more.
Fowler is still getting used to a new brand of ball; Thomas admitted he hasn’t felt entirely comfortable on the greens. You wouldn’t have known any of that from their play Thursday, when neither made a bogey and Fowler eagled the par-5 13th hole.
The co-leaders not only room together on the road, they’re neighbors in South Florida.
“We live half a mile down the street at home,” Fowler said, “so we spend a lot of time together, practice, play together. We enjoy pushing each other.”
They’re also Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup teammates, but that’s where the similarities end.
Fowler is a four-time TOUR winner who has done everything but win this tournament, finishing second in 2010 and 2016, and giving himself chances to win most every other year. Last year he was in the mix but bogeyed three of his last four holes for a 2-over 73, which broke a streak of 12 straight under-par rounds at TPC Scottsdale. Still, he finished T11.
Nine-time TOUR winner and 2017 FedExCup champion Thomas has also done well here. His T17 last year would have been better but for a few uncharacteristic blow-up holes.
Suffice it to say the two friends will have plenty to talk about over dinner, if they didn’t already. Fowler’s fiancé, Allison Stokke, is also with him; Thomas’ girlfriend is expected later this week. They’ll enjoy each other’s company while also listening for news about Fowler’s sister, Taylor, who is expecting to deliver twins any day now.
“I wanted to make that putt, and hit it perfect,” said Fowler, still ruing his missed opportunity to end with a birdie. “It would just be nice to be able to needle him a little bit tonight.”
With three rounds remaining, they’ll have plenty of time for that.
