Rickie Fowler has taken his game to the next level over the last three years, breaking out in 2014 and coming oh-so-close to breaking through with his first major win a couple of times. Now he’s got a share of the lead at 4 under heading into the weekend after posting a 67 on Friday afternoon. 

Fowler got it started early with a hole-out for eagle on the par-5 2nd hole. After catching a decent lie in the trap, Fowler delivered a shot that we might point to on Sunday if he remains in contention for his first green jacket.  

Fowler then got a birdie on 3, and rolled of four straight pars before adding a birdie at eight and finishing the first nine four-under par from the day. 

From there, he was able to keep it steady and play back a little bit, which seemed to loosen him up. Fowler laid up on the par-5 13th then hit his third shot snug for a birdie and cashed in with a stellar birdie putt on 16, too. His only real miscalculation came on the par-5 15th, where a miss into water put him a stroke off his pace. 

All in all, this is a huge statement for Fowler after missing the cut at Augusta National Golf Club a year ago. This year his Friday evening experience is very different, holding a share of the lead at the Masters heading into the weekend.