LOS ANGELES – Something Johnny Miller said this week sets up the final round of the U.S. Open Sunday, with golfers Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark in contention for the major championship.
Miller, the Hall of Fame golfer who became a popular golf commentator, was here to accept the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor awarded by the United States Golf Association. During a news conference, he talked about what distinguished him for almost three decades as a broadcaster.
“I thought the greatness of golf is the choke factor,” Miller said. “I don’t care if you’re playing for a milkshake or $5 Nassau or whatever. The greatness of golf is whether you can make that putt to win, and to ignore that is sort of missing the greatest part of golf, no doubt.
“Nobody wanted to talk about it.”
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Yet Miller talked a lot about the choke factor. And heading into the final round of the 123rd U.S. Open is the perfect time for more talk about one of Miller’s favorite subjects.
Rickie Fowler looks on in the first hole during the third round of the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Why Rickie Fowler might choke in U.S. Open final round
For Fowler, the good news is what he says.
“I’m not scared to fail,” he told reporters after his round Saturday. “I’ve dealt with that. We’re just going to go have fun, continue to try to execute, leave it all out there, see where we stand on 18.”
Fowler’s not scared to fail, he suggested, because he’s survived struggles that included him almost losing his PGA Tour card last year. But as likable as Fowler is, there’s still the choke factor.
Fowler has never won a major.
Worse, he has a history of near-misses.
Tied for second at the U.S. Open in 2014. Tied for second at The Championship Open in 2014. Tied for third at the PGA Championship in 2014. Second at the Masters in 2018.
How could anyone be shocked if Fowler heads into the final holes still in contention, only to reverse to runner-up form?
Let’s not forget that on Saturday he failed to make a putt inside 15 feet and made bogey on the final hole and lost his one-stroke lead.
Rory McIlroy reacts on the 9th green during the third round of the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. (Photo: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)
Why Rory McIlroy might choke in U.S. Open final round
For McIlroy, the good news is what he says.
“I’m going…
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