Rickie Fowler came into this week knowing he needed a special four rounds to secure his place on the Ryder Cup team in September. Check off Round 1 as Fowler shot a 3-under 67 and is just four strokes back of the lead after 18 holes.

Fowler’s most outrageous shot was this 373-yard drive off the cart path that led to the first of his three birdies on the day.

Fowler, who made 13 straight pars on Thursday before closing with three birdies in his last four holes, has a lot of work to do, and he has big names ahead of him like Bill Haas, Brandt Snedeker, Patrick Reed and Jim Furyk. But he was pleased with his bogey-free 67.

“Definitely enjoying the golf course,” said Fowler. “I like it. I mean, it’s a good golf course and … it’s in perfect shape. The greens here roll great. Get on the wrong side of the hole and you’re playing defense. But off to a good start. No bogies which is nice and three birdies to finish off the round in the last few holes. So, happy about that.”

Fowler’s big struggle all year has been with the flat stick. He was pretty average with it on Thursday as he ranked No. 77 in the field in putting, but it was enough to get him in the top 25 after the first day.

“The good thing, I’m hitting putts where I want them to,” said Fowler. “Sometimes it’s just been speed, been a little off or misreads. I need to tighten up the speed. If I can get the speed to be a lot more consistent it will obviously help … hitting putts and giving them an actual chance. Hitting bad putts, you don’t know where you’re starting it and can’t really read a putt from there. At least I’m starting them where I want.”

If he starts sinking them on the weekend, he could contend for the tournament and cement his place on Davis Love III’s Ryder Cup team. He knows he’s on the verge.

“The game has been very close the past few months and just trying to play our way into playing some really good golf.