As hundreds of fans waited in the sun for a glimpse of their heroes at Pinehurst No. 2 ahead of the U.S. Open beginning on Thursday, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler ensured they weren’t disappointed.
Rickie Fowler and Jason Day took the time to sign numerous autographs, bringing joy to fans who were eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of their heroes at Pinehurst No. 2.
North Carolina to fine-tuning their skills in preparation for the 124th U.S. Open. Their unwavering focus on the game has resulted in limited interaction with fans, as they prioritize maximizing their time on the course and gaining any possible advantage.
While children eagerly sought autographs from their favorite stars near the practice area, the tension among players leading up to the third major tournament of the year was palpable. Fans persistently approached everyone from caddies to reporters, hoping for a coveted autograph. One father expressed the sentiment of the crowd, stating, “Regardless of who you are, they have been standing here all day. Show them some appreciation!”
While Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler were focused on their golf game and ignored the requests of the sun-baked fans, Fowler and Day showed their class by signing autographs for every fan calling their name on the eve of the tournament.
Fowler, a fan favorite, has had a tough year in 2024, finishing tied for 30th and 63rd at the Masters and PGA Championship, and missing the cut at the Memorial last weekend before heading to Pinehurst.
The 35-year-old has become somewhat of a fan favorite due to his unique orange attire during tournaments, yet he has yet to secure a major championship victory. His highest ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking was fourth, achieved in January 2016. On the other hand, Day has had a comparable season, if not slightly more successful. He finished tied for 30th at the Masters with Fowler and then placed 43rd at Valhalla last month.
Day managed to secure a fourth-place finish at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, showcasing his consistency with multiple top-10 finishes in 2024. In contrast, Fowler has struggled to achieve the same level of success. Despite this, Day had not been a serious contender for a major title until his impressive performance at the Open at Royal Liverpool last year, where he finished tied for second with Tom Kim, Jon Rahm, and Sepp Straka, behind champion Brian Harman.
Day has proven his ability to succeed in major tournaments. Despite coming close to victory multiple times at the U.S. Open, the former top-ranked player managed to secure the PGA Championship title in 2015 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
If Day or Fowler make a strong push at Pinehurst No. 2, their actions during the practice days indicate that they will have the support of the fans. The key for the pair is to remain competitive and in the running until Sunday.
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