Time to Shine

They're six of the best active players to have never won a major. Who of these can follow in the footsteps of the last three US Open champions – Lucas Glover, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy – and make the tournament their breakthrough success?

Rickie Fowler

It has taken a while but Rickie Fowler is now living up to the hype that greeted his arrival on the PGA Tour a little over two years ago. A first tour win came in fine style at the Wells Fargo Championship just last month when he birdied the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to edge out reigning US Open champion Rory McIlroy and DA Points. Now that he's crossed the line, they'll surely be many more to come for the 23-year-old with the refreshingly unorthodox swing.

What we like: In terms of sheer talent, Fowler is catching – if not yet overtaking – Rory McIlroy as the best 20-something player in the world. Exciting to watch, he showed he can tough it out with a fine showing at last year's Open Championship, where he finished fifth in truly gruesome conditions.

What's stopping him: Aside from that Open, Fowler has been disappointing in the majors, particularly at the US Open where he has a best finish of tied 60th. Nevertheless, he's in a rich vein of form and his Ian Poulter-like self belief should stand him in good stead.

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Written by Alex Jenkins

Photography by AFP

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