Fowler dreaming of victory

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    20110404

    Rookie of the year hoping to become first first-timer to triumph since 1979

    Last updated: 4th April 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

    Fowler dreaming of victory

    Fowler: first Masters appearance

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    Rickie Fowler reckons he can turn dreams into reality at Augusta this week, provided he heads into his first Masters in the right frame of mind.

    The 22-year-old was the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year last season and will be one of 20 debutants teeing off in Georgia on Thursday.

    No rookie has won the Masters since Fuzzy Zoeller back in 1979, with Gene Sarazen the only other first-timer to claim victory in 1935.

    Speaking after practising on Monday, Fowler said: “I’m playing well right now.

    “If I go into the week with high expectations I feel like there’s a chance we could be walking up 18 in contention and that’s something I’ve dreamed about.

    “Obviously I watched plenty of Masters golf growing up and the green jacket is obviously something that means quite a bit in the golf community.

    “Just to be a part of this week is pretty cool. I’m soaking it all in and really looking forward to playing the par three contest.

    Local knowledge

    “If I was going into it blind without any help from other players, it would be very tough. Luckily, especially having local caddies when I was here a couple of days last week, local knowledge definitely helps.

    “I played one round with Phil (Mickelson) and being around guys like that that see the place a lot or have played well here definitely helps with preparation.

    “For the first-time players it’s not an easy golf course to just go out and learn. And it’s a major,” Fowler added.

    Fowler refused to rule Tiger Woods out of the reckoning, despite the former world number one’s winless streak going back to November 2009.

    “Tiger is struggling, but I don’t have any doubt that he’s going to get his confidence back and start playing well again,” the Ryder Cup player added.

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