Rickie Fowler and Jason Day spent time signing countless autographs to the delight of fans waiting to see a glimpse of their heroes at Pinehurst No. 2.
Players from both the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and amateur ranks have spent the last few days in North Carolina tuning up their game ahead of the 124th U.S. Open. Their intensity has meant many failed to spend time with fans, instead looking to maximise their time on the course and seek any advantage they can muster.
As children begged stars for autographs next to the practice area, tension among players ahead of the year's third major were clear to see. Fans were hounding anyone from caddies to reporters for an autograph, with one father saying: “They don’t care who you are, they’ve been standing all day. Give them something!”
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While the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler focused on their golf game and shunned the requests of the sun-baked fans, Fowler and Day showed their class and gave the delighted group something to remember. The duo were seen signing an autograph for each and every fan calling their name on the eve of the tournament.
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Fowler is a firm fan favourite, but the American has struggled in 2024. He finished tied for 30th and 63rd at the Masters and PGA Championship respectively, and headed to Pinehurst having missed the cut at the Memorial last weekend.
The 35-year-old is something of a cult hero for his funky orange outfits in tournaments, but he has never been able to get over the hump and claim a major title. The American's career high in the Official World Golf Ranking was fourth, which came back in January 2016. Meanwhile, Day has experienced a similar season, if not marginally better. The Australian tied for 30th at the Masters alongside Fowler before logging a 43rd-place finish at Valhalla last month.
Rickie Fowler is chasing a maiden major title (Getty Images)However, Day did finish fourth at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow while he has posted several top-10 finishes in 2024 - something Fowler has failed to do. But it had been some time since Day competed seriously for major glory before his dramatic challenge for Open glory at Royal Liverpool last year. He finished tied for second alongside Tom Kim, Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka behind champion Brian Harman.
Day knows how to get over the line at a major, though. After several near misses at the U.S. Open, the former world No. 1 won the PGA Championship back in 2015 at Wisconsin's Whistling Straits.
If Day or Fowler mount a charge at Pinehurst No. 2, their respective gestures throughout the practice days means they will have the fans behind them. The duo just need to be in contention come Sunday.
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