Hours Before US Open Showdown, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy’s Face-Off Turns Nine-Year-Old Prediction into Reality

After years of toiling on the circuit, 34-year-old Rickie Fowler could finally lay his hands on a major championship. The Jupiter resident is jointly leading the US Open at the 54-hole mark but is closely followed by four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy.

However, the bromance between the American-Northern Irish duo could turn out to be an exciting watch on Sunday. Interestingly, the pair’s battle for the coveted trophy was predicted many years ago by the golfers themselves.

Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy indulge in heartwarming sportsmanship

The incident occurred back in 2014 when both Fowler and McIlroy were in their mid-20s. Manifesting extraordinary talent at such a young age, the latter was in the form of his life. The Northern Irishman scripted a fourth major victory with a win at the year’s PGA Championship at the Valhalla Golf Club.

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While his win deserved a standing ovation, the battle at Valhalla was far from complete domination.

While the American couldn’t catch McIlroy’s pace, he finished on the podium with a joint-third-place finish. It was another feather in the cap for Fowler, who eventually carved his name to an exquisite list of players to finish in the top 5 in all four majors in a calendar year.

Yet, a major championship continued to elude him. But the result didn’t faze Fowler as he congratulated the winner of the competition, which received hearty responses from fans around the world.

Furthermore, McIlroy turned to Twitter himself for acknowledging the wishes, as well as promising Fowler that his time would come soon.

The brief interaction had promised plenty from the duo in the years to come.

Will it be Fowler or McIlroy the last man standing?

In the nine years since that famous exchange, McIlroy and Fowler have jointly contributed to a grand total of zero major championships. While the duo has given fans something to cheer about with flashes of brilliance, a major title has continued to evade the golfers.

However, that could change soon within the next twenty-four hours. The 2023 US Open at LACC features Fowler leading the field with a ten-under par. For a man whose major championship cabinet remains mysteriously empty, there won’t be a better shot at winning than this.

However, he could face stiff competition from McIlroy, who remains a single stroke off the leaders. The former World No. 1 has failed to win a major championship since that memorable day at Valhalla nine years ago and will look to secure victory at a tournament he last won in 2011.

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