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Fowler has it all _ except career-defining win

By WTOP Staff

PAUL NEWBERRY
AP National Writer

PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) — Rickie Fowler has a great sense of fashion. He knows how to work a crowd.

Now, all he needs is a career-defining win.

Fowler will play in the final group of a major for the first time after being one of just two players to break par on a brutal Saturday at Pinehurst No. 2. He shot a 3-under 67, leaving him five shots behind U.S. Open leader Martin Kaymer.

“The main goal going into the year was … to be ready for the majors and go contend in the majors,” Fowler said. “I really wouldn’t care less what happened in the other tournaments, just because my main goals were to be ready for the majors.”

It’s easy to understand why Fowler is so focused on winning one of golf’s biggest events.

Since breaking onto the PGA Tour in 2009, Fowler has always carried himself like a star. Big endorsement deals. Flamboyant clothing. Long, unruly hair. Outside of Phil Mickelson, he might be the most popular guy on the course.

Only one problem: His lone tour victory came at the Quail Hollow two years ago.

Otherwise, it’s just a bunch of close calls, causing some to question if Fowler is more hype than substance.

But he’s only 25, with most of his career still ahead of him. It’s clear that he’s close to breaking through, based on his performances this year at Augusta and now at Pinehurst.

Fowler was two shots off the lead going to the final round of the Masters, but a 73 on Sunday knocked him out of contention. He has a more daunting deficit to make up at the U.S. Open, but he’s following the plan he had going into the year.

“I would definitely be very happy at the end of the year,” he said, “if I was in contention at all four majors.”

Facing a course with firmer greens and devilish pin placements, Fowler managed to make five birdies and limit the damage to a couple of bogeys. He and Erik Compton, who also shot 67, were the only players in the red on Saturday.

Kaymer shot 72 but was at 8-under 202 after back-to-back 65s to start the tournament. It was still his championship to lose, with only five other players under par going to the final round. Fowler and Compton were at 207, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson were six shots backs, and Brandt Snedeker must overcome a seven-shot deficit.

“I can put myself in contention with the rest of the group, and see what Martin does,” Fowler said. “If he goes out and posts double-digits (under par), it’s going to be impossible to catch him. It’s like a second tournament going on.”

Fowler cut his hair this year, but he has hardly dialed things back when it comes to his public image. He wore knickers during the opening round in honor of Payne Stewart, who won the first U.S. Open held at Pinehurst in 1999 but died in a plane crash a few months later.

“It was very special,” Fowler said. “I sent a message to Chelsea Stewart (Payne’s daughter) afterward and said, ‘I hope you guys liked it as much as I did,’ because it was a lot of fun walking around with her dad that day.”

Now, Fowler is hoping for a Stewart-like finish at Pinehurst.

Without the knickers.

As usual, he’ll go out for the final round in the gaudy colors of his alma mater, Oklahoma State.

“Straight up orange,” Fowler said.

___

Follow Paul newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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