Fowler tipping low scoring at St Andrews

Jason Dufner is the most recent player to shoot 63 in a major on his way to winning the 2013 US PGA Championship, while Rory McIlroy followed an opening 63 on the Old Course in 2010 with a second round of 80.

An ankle ligament injury means McIlroy is not able to defend his title at St Andrews this week, but Fowler thinks plenty of other players are capable of setting a new record – providing the weather co-operates.

“I wouldn’t put it past anyone,” Fowler said. “These are the best players in the world. I played this morning and the golf course is in great shape. If the wind is down, it’s definitely scoreable.

“Outside of that, it looks like you may be trying to just hold on to that score after the first day because it looks like it could be tough come this weekend.”

Fowler’s first ever round in the Open was a 79 on the same day that McIlroy shot 63, but the 26-year-old rebounded with scores of 67, 71 and 67 to finish in a tie for 14th that gave him the belief he could win on links courses.

The world No 5 proved that with a brilliant 68 in miserable conditions the following year at Royal St George’s and comes into the Open on the back of his second victory of the year in the Scottish Open at Gullane on Sunday.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing links golf, from the first times that I played,” added Fowler, who won the Players Championship at Sawgrass in May.

Speaking about his 68 at Royal St George’s, where he went on to finish joint fifth, Fowler added: “I think the biggest thing for me was going out and trying to make it as fun as possible and kind of embracing the challenge.

“Looking back to St George’s, the Saturday we had there, it was nasty.”