MURITETTA'S FOWLER IS ON THE RISE.

Byline: JILL PAINTER Staff Writer

Rickie Fowler is no one-time wonder.

Fowler, a junior at Murrieta Valley High, shot an impressive 10-under- par 62 this season. He followed that with another 62. And then he shot a 61.

Sixty-one!

``I have just been playing well and it all came together with those three 10-unders,'' Fowler said. ``When you sit back and think about it, it's kind of amazing how I did it.''

And Fowler is only 17.

Fowler shot a 61 at the Barbara Worth Resort Country Club in El Centrol last month. His 62s came at the CIF Southern Section team finals at Hunger Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles and then at the CIF Southwestern League individual finals at Temecual Creek Inn Golf Resort, a course Fowler plays often.

He consistently shoots under par, a testament that his low scores are no fluke.

``He's a really hard-working kid,'' Murrieta Valley coach Greg Ireland said. ``He's really focused. He takes a lot of pride in his game. He has the ability to concentrate a great deal at his age, beyond his years.''

Fowler is ranked No. 1 and 2 in different national polls. His friend, Philip Francis of Scottsdale, is ranked No. 1 and 2 as well.

The country's top junior golfers have both committed to UCLA. Colleges can't comment on recruits until they've signed national letters-of-intent.

Last summer, Fowler shot three rounds of 64 and plenty rounds of 65 and 66 at tournaments on the American Junior golf Association circuit.

Fowler played in the CIF Southern Section Individual Championship at Canyon Country Club, a tournament he won with a 64 last year, after flying in from a tournament the night before. He shot a 68 and finished second but commanded the biggest gallery.

When you can consistently shoot in the low 60s, people take notice.

``It's kind of like that,'' Fowler said. ``Word spreads preetty fast.''

Fowler's Murrieta golf teammates have helped challenge him.

``He's fortunate in that we have six very good golfers,'' Ireland said. ``Rickie is definitely the leader, but he's blessed by the fact that these guys try to beat him.''

Fowler has been sporting a new hairdo. He hadn't cut his hair for most of the season after making a bet with his teammates. If he shot a high score, he'd have to cut it. Of course, that never happened. At the request of his girlfriend, he finally cut his hair before attending his school prom.

``It was getting a little shaggy,'' he said. ``I needed a change. It's still me.''

And the swing is the same, too.

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