COGNIZANT CLASSIC

March 1, 2025

Rickie Fowler

PGA National Champion Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Solid day, put yourself in contention. What did you like particularly about how you hit it today?

RICKIE FOWLER: I hit a few good shots. I didn't swing it that well today, so I'm glad I got that out of the way today and not have that tomorrow. Good job of hanging in there and keeping ourselves in it.

Felt like a lot of putts that could have went in and some poor swings here and there. I was actually kind of fighting hanging it out to the right. Yeah, nice to have that out of the way today and still in a position where we have a good chance, and we'll go get it cleaned up before the round tomorrow.

Q. Before the tournament you mentioned last year maybe weekends not getting as much out of it as you would have liked. To get through a day when you don't swing it that well but still are under par and give yourself a chance, is that what you were hoping to get more of this year?

RICKIE FOWLER: Yeah. It's very rare that you're going to go four days and hit it well and make putts and do all the right things. A lot of times you're going to have to fight through at least one day, and I feel like in the last 18 months or so, those days turned into -- instead of shooting 68 like today, shooting 73 to 76. That moves you the wrong direction.

It was good to get through it today and put ourselves in a spot where we go play well tomorrow, we'll have a chance to win this thing.

Q. Statistically it would show that the driver has been really good for you this week. Anything in particular you've been working on with that club?

RICKIE FOWLER: Out here, yeah, you've got to be playing from the fairway. A little easier with the overseed rough, but being in the fairway out here is definitely key. Knew that coming in. I felt like that has been an area, as well as all parts, trying to tighten things up. But knew that it would be a big key this week. Not only driver, tee balls; it's not like you're hitting a bunch of drivers around here. From driver and many others, it's just a big part of playing well on this course.

Q. On 14, again, that's a troubling hole, but you made a great bunker save to get that bogey there.

RICKIE FOWLER: Yeah, tough lie in the rough for my second. Thought it would come out a little bit better than it did, and put myself in a good spot to get up-and-down. Tight little lie, didn't catch it clean. 5 is a lot better than 6, so would have been nice to make 4, but yeah, when you get yourself out of position here, bogey is not always a bad thing, taking away the doubles and others. Those will really hurt you.

Q. Going into Sunday in contention, that gives you some confidence for the Sunday round.

RICKIE FOWLER: Yeah, definitely. I've played well a lot of times around here, and having won here, I know what I need to do. I've had a lot of good stuff the first two days, and good way to fight through it today. Yeah, looking forward to picking up where we were the first two days and playing well tomorrow and giving ourselves a chance.