WM PHOENIX OPEN

February 11, 2023

Rickie Fowler

TPC Scottsdale

Quick Quotes

Q. (No Microphone.)

RICKIE FOWLER: I mean, iron play's been good. Putting it nicely. Been struggling off the tee a little bit. Just managing our way around. Obviously I know I can play well at this place. Love the atmosphere. Love the fans. So trying to draw from them as much as I can. Hopefully we can tighten a few things up tomorrow. But did a great job of managing and scoring and kind of keeping things moving forward.

Q. Is there a different feeling being in contention at a big tournament like this compared to maybe three, four years ago when it was happening with regularity?

RICKIE FOWLER: No, it's really nice to be back in a similar territory. Really the last few years haven't been in this position a whole lot. But no, it never gets old. But it's nothing really different. We've been here before. So just kind of have to soak it up and have fun.

Q. You talked about the atmosphere here at TPC Scottsdale. 16 specifically. Is this a course maybe that with the atmosphere you would like to see across other PGA courses or is it nice to have the uniqueness of 16 only at this course?

RICKIE FOWLER: This place can't be duplicated. You can try, but the amount of time and effort that's gone into this over decades to get it to where it is now. Places try and do some stuff to get the energy up and get some stands and crowds around a certain hole or area. Yeah, this event's kind of special in its own way. I don't think anything will ever be what this is.

And that's fine. This is a special week. I love it. I don't think we necessarily need others like it. It takes a lot of time to get to where this event has got to and the Thunderbirds and Waste Management and everyone involved has done a darn good job to get it to here.

Q. Is it a little bit different now with you being in contention when you make the walk through the tunnel to get out to 16 having the fans on your back? What is that like? Can you take us through that.

RICKIE FOWLER: It really doesn't change a whole lot. It's not necessarily the hardest hole. The atmosphere and the consequences obviously make it a fairly challenging hole. So it's very rewarding when you hit a good shot and you can walk out of there with 2 or 3. They will let you know if you did something wrong.

Q. You pumped up the fans before tapping in your birdie putt on 18. What was going through your mind in that moment?

RICKIE FOWLER: I felt pretty confident from about two and a half inches. It's fun to play with the fans out here when you can. I felt pretty confident from there and I had that one under control. So anything to get the fans involved and make sure they're having a good time. Which by this time of the day I'm sure they have enjoyed themselves and glad we could finish on a strong note.

Q. What club did you hit coming in that?

RICKIE FOWLER: I had sand wedge in.

Q. Going off the question about hole 16, what's your favorite part about playing on hole 16 and what's unique about it for you?

RICKIE FOWLER: My favorite part about 16 would be walking away with 2 or 3. Like I said earlier, it's not really that hard of a shot or a par-3 for that matter. But this week it's played a little tougher than normal with the wind being in. Normally it's a little bit downwind which makes it a lot easier, plays a lot shorter. So just with it being into the wind it kind of, I don't know, exaggerates a poor shot even more. You have to hit a good shot in there. So my favorite part is hitting a good shot and you don't really have to worry about anything else from there.

Q. How do you deal with the crowd noise and the unique circumstances of hole 16? Because it's just so much different than any other hole.

RICKIE FOWLER: I enjoy it. This is my 15th WM Phoenix Open. So been around a few times. I'm no rookie or young kid anymore. It's an atmosphere that I really like and enjoy being in there. It's nice to be in contention and playing later in the day. So, yeah, look forward to getting in there tomorrow.