Rickie Fowler wants to prove he can compete with Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth by winning the Open championship at St Andrews.
The 26-year-old’s preparations for this week’s tilt at the Claret Jug could not have gone better.
The American proved his links prowess by winning the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane on Sunday and feels his game is in perfect shape as he bids to better his runner-up finish in last year’s Open at Royal Liverpool.
The Gullane victory moved him from ninth to fifth in the world rankings but Fowler knows another win this weekend would help close the gap on McIlroy and Spieth.
Fowler said: “A good start would be to become a major champion and that’s something I’ve always dreamed of and always wanted to accomplish.
“Jordan has been playing amazing golf and Rory has been doing that for quite some time.
“I do have some work to do. The biggest thing is I need to continue winning.
“I can’t worry about them or the other players.
“I have to keep working hard, focus on what I need to do and take care of my business.”
Fowler struggled to a seven-over-par 79 during his first round at St Andrews in the Open five years ago.
But the manner in which he responded to that score has given him the confidence he can win this weekend.
He added: “When I believed I could really win over here was, after my stellar start of 79, I shot a 67 to make the cut and went on to have a great weekend.
“I ended up finishing 14th, so had it not been for the first round I would have been in contention and maybe shown Louis Oosthuizen something.
“But I have to say that Oosthuizen played amazing that week.
“But that was when I got the belief I could really play links golf and could put together rounds in some tough conditions.”
Fowler predicts history could be made at St Andrews this week.
The Californian reckons a first 62 in a major could be possible for the players who get out during the calmer conditions when the tournament begins tomorrow.
He said: “I wouldn’t put it past anyone.
“These are the best players in the world. It’s not too soft out there.
“I played this morning and the golf course is in great shape but if the wind is down it’s definitely scoreable.
“Outside of that, it looks like you may be trying to hold on to that score after the first day because it looks like it could be very tough come this weekend.”