‘Work to be done’ for Rickie Fowler after substandard Abu Dhabi debut

Rickie Fowler reeled off the obligatory platitudes about his Abu Dhabi debut – par for the course, really - then lamented how his game was the only component not up to scratch.

The American star brought some razzamatazz this week to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship’s 10th birthday, where he initially appeared intent on adding his own personal celebration to proceedings, too.

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An opening day 67 was a fine introduction to the National Course, which left Fowler handily placed to mount a challenge for the Falcon Trophy. However, then his desert assault ran dry. Barren, in fact.

Fowler played the remaining three days 3-over par, and eventually signed for a tournament total 2-under. The fourth-best ranked player in the field, at world No 10, he eventually routed to a tie for 66th.

For someone with a penchant for orange, little wonder Fowler put his substandard start to 2015 down to rust.

“It’s no big deal,” he said after a final-round 71. “I dealt with some missed cuts at the beginning of last season and obviously turned out to have one of the best years of my career. It’s just part of the process to get into good form again and get ready for the season.”

Fowler, 26, now heads back across the Atlantic to commence his PGA Tour campaign. An improvement on 2014 is the target, which implies transforming a top-five finish in a major championship into a victory. Last season, he nestled among the lead quintet in all game’s keystone events, coming home runner-up at both the US Open and the Open.

While the calendar’s first major is a long way off – the Masters gets under way on April 9 – Fowler plans to spend the intervening period making sure his game is Augusta ready. After his performance in the UAE capital, that begins in earnest next week.

“A lot of work to be done,” he said. “Definitely disappointed with what kind of game I brought over here. Obviously got off to a nice start on Thursday, but it just hasn’t felt right the last three days.

“So a bit disappointed with all parts of the game. Got some work to do next week to try and get things turned around for the season.”