Fowler Fixes Flaw, Primed for Pebble

Like many players, Rickie Fowler struggled three weeks ago in the final round of the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. But he fixed a flaw and pronounced himself ready for the 119th U.S. Open, a championship in which he has three top-10 finishes, including a tie for second in 2014. “When the wind came up on Sunday [of the PGA], it showed some of my weaknesses,” said Fowler, who realized that his left-hand grip had weakened, which made it a struggle to square the clubface. “I would try to flight a shot into the wind, and my misses were exaggerated by a lot.” Fowler rebounded to tie for 14th place two weeks ago at the Memorial. “Typically, I love to play in windy conditions, because I feel like I’m a very good ball-striker,” said Fowler on Monday. With wind an ever-present possibility at pristine Pebble Beach, Fowler feels like he is in a good place, in more ways than one.