With carnage all around him, Rickie Fowler kept things steady en route to an even-par 71 in the opening round of the Irish Open.
Fowler is making his first start since a dramatic playoff victory at The Players Championship, and he started in style with birdies on Nos. 10 and 11, his first two holes of the day. His card ultimately included four birdies against four bogeys, putting him two shots off the early pace amid blustery conditions at Royal County Down.
Fowler's score was even more impressive within the context of his marquee grouping.