Fowler recovers from bad start, posts 1st-round 70 at Quicken Loans

Rickie Fowler was 3-over par just 30 minutes into his opening round of the Quicken Loans National on Thursday, but battled back to shoot an even-par 70.

The world No. 9 found the native area on his first two drives of the day, leading to a bogey at the par-5 10th, then made a double bogey on the next hole.

"It's tough. You definitely can't fake it, and you can't be far off when you are," Fowler told PGATour.com. "You have to take your medicine in spots. There's some hazards very close to the driving areas."

Fowler would respond by flagging his tee shot at the par-3 12th, then brushing the 6-foot birdie putt home.

After another birdie at No. 14, Fowler made two more on the opening nine, and made the turn in 35.

"Definitely a nice way to fight back to turn in even (par)," said Fowler.

The 28-year-old followed a wild opening with a conventional final nine, making one birdie and one bogey in his trip around the former Kemper Open site.

"The course is in perfect shape, and it's nice to be able to play with (the) greens firm, some rough up, and definitely rewarding ball-strikers," he added.