Fowler heckled as 'coward' after Leeds Utd U-turn

HOYLAKE : American Rickie Fowler said he has faced the odd "coward' comment from the Open crowds but it is nothing to do with his failure to close out a first major.

The 34-year-old, regarded as one of the best players not to boast a major title, shot a four-under round of 67 on Saturday to reach one under for the tournament.

Fowler has three top 10 finishes at the Open and is popular with the Liverpool crowds who remember his battle with Rory McIlroy in 2014 when he tied for second.

He received warm cheers again on a rainy Saturday morning as he collected four birdies in a tidy round that underlined his resurgence from a career slump.

But he has not been everyone's cup of tea here, especially those with an allegiance to English soccer club Leeds United.

Fowler was part of the 49ers group that was investing in the Yorkshire club, along with fellow American Ryder Cup players Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, but opted out.

"Other than maybe a "coward" comment here or there, 99.9 per cent are amazing," Fowler said after putting himself in sight of another top-10 finish. "But you deal with that anywhere you go. Same thing in the States.

"The fans over here, it's always fun to come play links golf in front of them. I feel like they have such a great appreciation of golf, proper golf shots."

Fowler conceded it was rare to be heckled about his investment choices.

"That may be one of the first that maybe became public. There might be some other ones out there, but yeah, it is what it is. I'll take it," he said.

While Spieth and Thomas are going ahead with buying into the club that was relegated from the Premier League last season, Fowler said there was no going back.

"No, that's already all done. Hopefully it works out with JT and Jordan