Rickie Fowler shoots final-round 67, finishes runner-up at The Masters

After coming into the final round at the PGA Tour’s first major of the season down five strokes, Rickie Fowler had his work cut out for him. Patrick Reed led by three shots to start the day, and Fowler made it quite interesting, but would come up just short in the end.

Fowler started slow, finishing the first seven holes at +1. Fowler birdied holes No. 8 and 9 to make the turn at -10 for the tournament, as everyone chased eventual champion Patrick Reed.

Fowler had a clean back nine with no bogeys, but only dropped four birdies when he needed at least one more to challenge Reed for the title.

The effort was enough to earn him a solo second-place finish, as Fowler finished a single stroke ahead of his friend and rival, Jordan Spieth. Spieth fired a final-round 64.

Reed had an up-and-down day, but his four-shot advantage heading into the final day proved to be key as the San Antonio, Texas native claimed his first major win. Reed shot one-under par on Saturday, posting four birdies and three bogeys in his final round.

The story of the day, outside of Reed’s victory, was the comeback from Spieth. Starting the day, Spieth came into the day at -5 and nine shots back of Reed. He proceeded to go out and drain nine birdies to challenge for the second green jacket of his career. After shooting a final-round score of 64 and eight-under par, Spieth entered the clubhouse tied for the tournament lead. It wouldn’t last though, as Reed and Fowler passed the former Texas Longhorn.

Fowler made it interesting on the final hole, dropping a birdie to put the pressure on Reed to play flawless golf on his final hole.

As a reward for his efforts, Fowler will bring home a cool $1,188,000 for finishing in second place.

Fowler continues his reign as the best golfer to have never won a major. The next opportunity will be at the U.S. Open, which will be hosted at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. The tournament will be played June 14-17.