Fowler feels no pressure, stands out at q-school

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Rickie Fowler shot a 4-under 68 in the second round of q-school finals to move into the top 25.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- For most first-timers, the final stage of the PGA TOUR National Qualifying Tournament is about as much fun as an IRS audit.

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Duval puts pride aside
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There's a constant knot in your stomach. Your hands are sweating even though the weather isn't warm. And a smile is seen about as often as a double albatross.

Somebody forgot to tell Rickie Fowler. He looks like he's actually enjoying himself this week at Bear Lakes Country Club. His mood is as bright as the pastel colors he wears.

"This isn't that bad," Fowler said of q-school.

Not when you're playing with house money, as is the case with Fowler.

Not when you almost win your second start on the PGA TOUR as a pro, losing in a three-way playoff to Troy Matteson at the Frys.com Open six weeks ago. That $500,000 payoff almost enabled Fowler to do what only a few, select people (Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, Rory McIlroy, etc) have done: Make it to the PGA TOUR without having to attend q-school.

While Fowler eventually fell about $280,000 shy of earning his card by matching what the No. 125th-ranked player made last year, he at least got to bypass the first and second stages of q-school. That assured Fowler of a Tour to play on next year -- be it the PGA TOUR or the Nationwide Tour -- and thus explains his carefree attitude this week.

"It's different for me because of how well I played late in the season," said Fowler, who also had a top 10 (T7) at Las Vegas. "Two months ago, I had nothing. Now I know it will be easier for me to get starts next year and I have a place to play. In a way, this is kind of a stress-free week for me."

A stress-free week at q-school? Are you kidding me? This is such a tough week that some TOUR veterans won't even show up to try and improve their exempt status. But Fowler was grinning after he shot a 4-under 68 Thursday to move into the coveted top 25 at 2-under 142 after two rounds. That's a nice comeback, considering he was 4 over late in his first round.

Than again, not much seems to ruffle Fowler, a two-time All-American at Oklahoma State who also lost a playoff on the Nationwide Tour this year when he was an amateur. He doesn't even mind the grief he receives on a daily basis for his wardrobe (Thursday he had on his Gary Player all-black outfit, which was mundane after Wednesday's rose-colored, checkerboard-style pants.)

"Not many guys out here dress like this," Fowler said.

Nor play like him. Fowler, most agree, will be golf's next young stud. And we do mean young -- he can't legally drink a beer until his 21st birthday in 10 days.

Golf fans will have a chance to learn plenty about Fowler next year. Asked for some personal information this week by TOUR publicists, Fowler seems to be a study in contrasts. For instance, he lists the Bible as his favorite book and Larry the Cable Guy as his top entertainer. His favorite foods? Sushi and Mexican.

But Fowler and golf stardom seem to be a match. Fowler already has pocketed nice endorsement deals with Puma and Titleist. He recently moved to Las Vegas, where he can continue to ride his motocross bike and a tricked-out golf cart, compliments of Puma.

Fowler said he signed to wear Puma apparel because "they are edgy and non-traditional -- like me," he said.

Fowler doesn't mind standing out. Fact is, he does plenty to make sure that happens, whether it's his golf or his attire.

"I know people are expecting big things of me because I did play well," Fowler said. "It's definitely cool to have people looking at me."

No, he's not worried. He's just happy to be here.

MERRITT CONTINUES TO ROLL: Troy Merritt has never played in a PGA TOUR event, but you'd never know it by the way he's performed the first two rounds of the National Qualifying Tournament at Bear Lakes.

Merritt shot a 3-under 69 Thursday to take a one-shot lead after two rounds of q-school at 8-under 136. He's inching closer to playing on golf's biggest stage.

"To be honest, I'm not even thinking about playing on the PGA TOUR," Merritt said. "I'm just trying to concentrate on hitting my next shot. I think if you start thinking about the PGA TOUR, it's only going to get in your way."

Merritt's closest pursuer is PGA TOUR veteran Jay Williamson (69-137), who was tied for the lead until he double-bogeyed his 17th hole.

"And that was probably my best shot of the day," Williamson said of a 4-iron that flew over the flag and the green. "Obviously, I'm in a good position. But the tournament is just beginning now."

Three-time PGA TOUR winner Jeff Maggert (67-138) is in a third-place tie with Brendon de Jonge (68), Andrew McClardy (67), Ted Brown (67) and Michael Connell (67).

"I wouldn't say it's been stress-free, because it's never stress-free when I'm playing golf," Maggert said. "But I've been able to avoid the mistakes that lead to big numbers."

The top 25 players and ties earn fully-exempt status on next year's PGA TOUR.

JAROSCH SHOOTS 29: Barrett Jarosch of Edmonton, Canada shot a 7-under 29 on the Links Course's back nine -- his front nine -- thanks to six consecutive birdies.

But any hopes of shooting a 59 ended when he bogeyed his 10th and 13th holes. He settled for a 66 that moved him into eighth place at 141.

"I knew I had shot a 29, but I wasn't thinking about a 59," said Jarosch, who has never played in a PGA TOUR or Nationwide Tour event. "It obviously helps, but there's a lot of golf left. I could use a couple more 29s."

David Gossett is one of two players to shoot 59 during q-school, firing his magical round in the fourth round of the 2000 event at PGA West. Harrison Frazar also achieved the feat last season in La Quinta's Saturday round.

NOTES: Former world No. 1 David Duval got off to another rocky start, shooting a 40 on his front nine. But just like he did Wednesday, when Duval overcame a 4-over start to shoot a 71, Duval bounced back with a 33 on his back nine to stay in the hunt for fully-exempt status; he's tied for 39th place at even-par 144 ... The winds laid down Thursday, making both the Lakes and Links courses play almost three strokes easier. The Links' average was 71.6, the Lakes' 72.2.

Craig Dolch is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.