Fowler’s followers are of good cheer

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This article was published 03/06/2012 (5215 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Like a golfing pied piper, an army of kids has trailed Rickie Fowler around the Memorial all week.

They had a lot to cheer about on Saturday.

Fowler followed two rounds of 71 with a 69, matching the day’s best, to move into third place at 5-under 211.

“I’ve hit a lot of good shots around here,” Fowler said, seconds after dozens of youngsters — and more than a few adults — chanted his name just a few feet away. “I’m able to go into every hole out here comfortably, knowing that I’ve played it well. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Fowler, who played at Oklahoma State and proudly wears the school’s neon orange, had to play in swirling winds during his college days. He said he wouldn’t have a problem if the gusts kicked up in the final round.

“I love playing in the wind,” he said.

When he finished his round he was five strokes behind Spencer Levin. By the time the last putt fell, he was just three back. He’ll play the final round paired with Tiger Woods, who is four off the pace.

After picking up his first career win a month ago at the Wells Fargo, Fowler is hungry to do it again. And he has no problem chasing down someone from behind.

“It’s not easy to go low,” he said, citing the difficult conditions. “Someone that’s in the lead is going to have a tough time pulling away.”

Candid on cameras

Jack Nicklaus has not spoken to Phil Mickelson since the four-time major champion withdrew after the opening round of the Memorial. Nicklaus isn’t sure what happened with Mickelson and the number of cellphone cameras. And he’s not sure what do about fans bringing their phones to the course.

“It’s not here. It’s a tour policy,” Nicklaus said Saturday.

Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Masters champion Bubba Watson had to back off several shots in the opening round because of fans taking pictures. The tour began allowing cellphones last year, though pictures are not allowed during tournament rounds.

Mickelson cited mental fatigue for withdrawing after a 79, though it is becoming clear his WD was also a subtle message to the tour.

“I haven’t been on the golf course,” Nicklaus said. “But I’ve always felt like … if you have all the noise like they have at Phoenix, they’re used to it and expect it. It’s not going to be a big deal. If you don’t expect it and it happens, then it becomes a big deal. Either guys have got to get used to it or the tour has got to adjust the policy.”

Nicklaus said the Memorial would follow tour policy. He had no solutions of his own.

“There’s no way in the world they can ask a tournament to police a policy,” he said. “What do you want, to be the Gestapo out there? We’ve got 30,000 or 40,000 people out there. You need 30,000 security (people). You can’t do that. I don’t know the answer.

“From my standpoint? You don’t have to worry about me. I don’t know how to take a picture with a cellphone.”

— The Associated Press