SOUTHPORT, England - Rickie Fowler has a tattoo of the Olympic rings on one forearm to commemorate his participation in Rio last year and smiles broadly at the idea of matching it with one of the Claret Jug on the other.
"Oh, I would certainly have to give that my full consideration if I won. Wouldn’t that be just great?" says the popular Californian, before stopping himself. "Maybe we shouldn’t think that far ahead, though. Don’t want to jinx it, right?"
Fowler’s concern about tempting fate is understandable given how near the self-confessed adrenalin junkie has come to feeling the ultimate rush of winning a major, only to be left experiencing frequent withdrawal symptoms.
In 2014, he became the only man in history to finish in the top five in all four majors in the same year without winning one. This year he has had chances at the Masters and the US Open without closing the deal.
He arrives in Southport carrying a title that must be the ultimate double-edged compliment: best player on the PGA Tour never to win a major.
"It’s definitely a positive if you choose to look at it the right way," he says, fully aware that plenty in his homeland do not. "All you can do is learn from your mistakes and I feel I’m getting more comfortable each time I’m in position to win.
"At the Masters I pushed too hard but I learned from that at the US Open, and in no way did I play badly. Brooks Koepka wasn’t handed the title, he won it with an incredible round."
That didn’t stop the critics from piling in. He shows no emotion on the course so clearly doesn’t care enough, said some, as if it is a flaw to be well-mannered and feel no need to vent against the gods if a putt doesn’t drop, or fling a club when a shot goes awry.
"My parents taught me that if I threw a club that would be the last I’d see of it for a week, and I didn’t want that to happen," he explains. "I’ve always preferred to see the glass half-full, so I try to stay as positive as I can.
"Inside, of course I’m raging if I make a mess of an important shot. I just don’t see what’s to be gained by showing it."
Fowler believes his best chance at breaking through is at The Open, where his wily craft and imagination have the ideal stage.
Perhaps the best 18 holes of his career came in the third round at Royal St George’s in 2011, where he delivered an almost unfathomable 68 in the teeth of a filthy tempest.
"I learned so much from watching Tom Watson play in the morning that has helped me ever since," he revealed.
"I loved the expression on his face and the fact he was just embracing the challenge and intent on enjoying it. That’s what I did that afternoon and the attitude I’ve always adopted.
"I might have grown up in California and learned the game on a driving range, but the wind would come up in the afternoon and you had to use your imagination.
"I also went to college at Oklahoma State where it’s always windy. That’s why I loved it straight away over here, the fact you weren’t just hitting it from point A to point B."
The early starters have had to brave the elements but the sun should be shining by the afternoon! https://t.co/2sK0Z8hEUQ pic.twitter.com/Bd0nBL69Dt
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2017
BBC commentator Ken Brown was so impressed by Fowler at St George’s, where he notched his first top five in a major, he made the bold prediction he would win the Claret Jug one day. Three years later, Fowler pushed Rory McIlroy all the way at Royal Liverpool before finishing runner-up.
Now he returns to the North West and a majestic course that fits his eye. "It sets up good for someone who drives straight and putts well, and they’re my two favourite clubs," he says.
"I like to think I’ve got a chance of winning any of the majors and my record shows that, but The Open is the one that suits me best of all."
Fowler lives in Jupiter, South Florida, surrounded by fellow uber-wealthy golfers. "Justin Thomas lives down the street and we see a bit of Rory McIlroy when he’s at home and Dustin Johnson," he said.
Doesn’t he see enough of them at work? "They’re my friends off the course as well as my rivals on it," he adds, smiling. "I hosted a July 4 barbecue and a few of the guys came over with their wives and girlfriends. We’re all a lot different in that environment from on the course, so it never feels like an extension of work."
Such has been his consistency this year, it would almost be a surprise if Fowler wasn’t among the final groups to tee off on Sunday.
And, if the trophy engraver should happen to be writing his name on to the game’s most famous jug around 7pm, Fowler’s tattoo artist ought to be smiling widely as well.