Fowler Gets 1st PGA Win in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE (AP) — Rickie Fowler has never been afraid to put it all on the line. The thrill-seeking passion for motocross. The head-turning clothing he brought to the PGA Tour, such as the bright orange ensemble on Sundays. With a chance to finally break through for his first tour win, the 23-year-old showed his true colors. In a three-way playoff that featured U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy, Fowler gambled with a 51-degree wedge that had to be perfect on an 18th hole at Quail Hollow that had yielded only four birdies all day. And it was. Fowler stuffed his shot into 4 feet for a birdie on the first extra hole to beat McIlroy and D.A. Points and capture the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C. “I didn’t want to play it safe,” Fowler said. “I had a good number (133 yards), and if I hit a perfect shot, it comes down right on the stick. … I was going for it.” Fowler closed with a 3-under 69 for a 14-under 274 total. “You wouldn’t call the 18th a birdie hole with that pin,” said McIlroy, who is also 23 and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the world. “For Rickie to play that hole the way he did, he deserved to win.” Along for the ride was Points, a 35-year-old who had the title in his grasp until ending 40 straight holes without a bogey by making one at the worst time. On the 18th in regulation, he hit his approach in a bunker and never came close to a par. He shot 71. McIlroy had a shot at winning in regulation but missed a 15-foot birdie putt, giving him a 70. In the playoff, all three hit the fairway, but Points and McIlroy were well off the mark on their approaches and had to work hard to get their two-putt pars. The only other time Fowler won as a pro was last year at the Korea Open, where he also beat McIlroy. “It’s a good feeling,” said Fowler, who won $1.17 million. “Definitely some relief.” Webb Simpson, the 54-hole leader, missed a 25-foot birdie putt on 18 to join the playoff. He closed with a 73. Phil Mickelson (71), who finished at 6 under, will be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday in St. Augustine, Fla.