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Rickie Fowler sets US Open record for 18-hole score, sends Golf World into a frenzy

By Cody Williams

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Rickie Fowler of the United States reacts to his putt on the sixth green during the first round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club on June 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Rickie Fowler of the United States reacts to his putt on the sixth green during the first round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club on June 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Rickie Fowler went onto an extremely difficult Los Angeles Country Club and dominated with a US Open record for a single round, firing an 8-under 62.

It has been a stark turnaround in performance for Rickie Fowler over the past year as the uber-popular golfer who had seemingly lost any semblance of form has been reeling off Top 20s and earning his way into major championships like the 2023 US Open.

But even with that, no one could’ve predicted what he would do to start his tournament at Los Angeles Country Club for that US Open.

With a predictably tough test put forth by the USGA before him, Fowler started his round with a birdie on his first hole (the 10th hole on the scorecard), but gave it right back with a bogey. That’s when he started to really catch fire. Stepping onto the 18th hole (his ninth), he was 2-under for the round — but then vaulted up to the top of the US Open leaderboard with four straight birdies.

The hotness didn’t stop there, either, as he added two more with no more boxes working against him. The result: A US Open single-round record 62, good for 8-under and, at the time, the solo lead in the major championship.

Rickie Fowler sets US Open single-round scoring record: Golf World reacts

Fowler also became the first player in US Open history to make 10 birdies in a single round. As such, the golf world went wild celebrating Fowler’s ridiculously impressive 18 holes and accomplishment.

Not that it diminishes Rickie Fowler’s feat, but, hilariously, Xander Schauffle needed only about a half-hour longer to tie Fowler with a 62 of his own and at the top of the US Open leaderboard.

Fowler completely dominated the field outside of Schauffele, though, as both ended up five strokes clear of the rest of the field. They also broke the record that was previously held by Jack Nicklaus and Tommy Fleetwood, among four others, of 63 in a single round. They also tied Branden Grace (2017 at Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship) for the lowest round ever in any major championship.

Now comes the harder part: Following up a record-setting round.

Next. 2023 US Open sleepers: 5 dark horse picks at LACC. dark

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