Monday 21 July 2014 14:06, UK
American Rickie Fowler has turned his attention to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September after finishing as joint runner-up at The Open Championship.
The 25-year-old became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2005 to make the top five of the first three majors of the year when he finished alongside Sergio Garcia, two shots behind Rory McIlroy at the 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool,
A share of fifth in the Masters was followed by a joint-second behind Martin Kaymer at the US Open a month ago.
Second place at Hoylake has elevated Fowler to third on the United States' Ryder Cup points list with only Masters champion Bubba Watson and three-time winner this season Jimmy Walker ahead of him.
"Going into the year the goal was to be in contention at majors and play well and have chances to win and with the good play, the long-distance goal on that was to be on the Ryder Cup team," he said.
"With the way I've played in the majors this year that's definitely what has given me the opportunity to represent my country and play in the Ryder Cup.
"It definitely hasn't been my most consistent year (with seven missed cuts in 19 strokeplay tournaments).
"But as far as where my focus has been to play well in majors and really focus on the prep and the lead-up in the weeks prior and then playing well in the majors, it's definitely been the most consistent.
"And it's been my most successful year so far, even with the most cuts that I've ever missed in a year, because my main goal going into the year was to be in contention in majors.
"I'll definitely be looking next year as to how I want to schedule my way around the year and my main focus going forward will be on the biggest events and trying to prepare to be where I'm at in majors."
While Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson has some significant decisions to make over his three wildcard selections and whether Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are worthy of a pick he does not have to worry about Fowler.
"Rickie Fowler was certainly a (Ryder Cup) point man yesterday," he said.
"I like Rickie. I like his attitude. I like what he's doing. He's playing well. He's about ready to run the table.
"Working with (Woods' former and Mickelson's current coach) Butch Harmon I think has given him a good lift, taken some of the pressure off and made life a little lighter.
"When you're playing well, life is good. Rickie is at that stage right now."
Watch the Ryder Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports' dedicated channel, SS4 HD, from 6am on Thursday, September 18
