GOLF:THE YOUNG guns are an unusual, even motley, crew. There's "Steek", aka Rickie Fowler. There's "The Bashful Prince", aka Ryo Ishikawa. Then, with less of the originality of the other nicknames, there's "Rors", aka Rory McIlroy. Together, they head the new generation seeking to change the old guard at the US Masters.
History, of course, is against them: traditionally, those who have the Green Jacket placed on their shoulders have served their time on the hallowed turf.
But it’s not just rules which are made to be broken; history is too. And although McIlroy – who finished tied-20th on his debut in 2009 – is the only one of the trio to have played four successive rounds here, there’s an aura about Fowler and Ishikawa which suggests either of them is capable of rewriting the history books.
Fowler is the greatest imponderable. Having turned professional in 2009, Fowler managed to secure “Rookie of the Year” honours on the US Tour last year despite not winning a tournament.
“Steek” did, however, manage to claim seven top-10 finishes on tour and, despite his failure to win any title anywhere, he has risen to 32nd in the world.
“To have a chance to play my first Masters, it is something I dreamed of as a little kid,” said Fowler, who, at 22, is the old man of the trio. “I’m playing well right now. I feel like I go in with high expectations. I feel there’s a chance that we could be walking up 18 in contention and that’s something I have dreamed about.
“My game feels really good and I feel like when you’re driving the ball well and putting yourself in position to make birdies, you can make any course suit your game.”
Sound like the innocence of youth? Or just sheer exuberance?
Fowler, though, has shown no fear when stepping onto the big stage. In the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, he fought right to the death. And in two WGC events so far this season, he has featured – with top-10 finishes in both the Accenture and the Cadillac – only to come up short.
To win here, though, Fowler will have to emulate the feat of Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 who became the last player to win the Masters at the first attempt. It’s a tough ask, for sure. But Fowler’s got to win somewhere, some time.
Ishikawa’s previous Masters appearances have been something of an education for the 19-year-old Japanese player. Two appearances, two missed cuts. It’s unlikely to be a case of third time lucky, either.
But Ishikawa comes into the tournament with a higher cause: to provide some solace to a country devastated by the recent earthquake. “I would like to emphasise the power and energy that sport can create for those people to encourage them. And it is my intention to play really well. That will be the best way to encourage people in Japan.”
As for McIlroy? He knows what it’s like to win on the US Tour. He knows what it’s like to contend in Majors: from eight career starts, he has finished third on three occasions and has five top-20s. As he put it, “this is where the season really starts”.
