Round 2 of the 2026 Truist Championship is well underway despite ongoing weather delays in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following an opening round 74, Rickie Fowler made a major push up the leaderboard on Friday. The golfer put together one of the strongest rounds of the day. He jumped 53 spots in the standings and finished the second round T8 heading into the weekend after carding an impressive 8-under 63.
While there is no cut line at the PGA Tour Signature Event, Fowler’s strong showing could prove important heading into moving day. More importantly, it continues a stretch of consistent golf from the 37-year-old, who has steadily regained his confidence throughout the 2026 season.
Rickie Fowler Climbs Leaderboard at Truist Championship
Fowler wasted little time getting hot during Round 2 of the Truist Championship. He opened his day with a birdie and quickly settled into rhythm on the front nine. After back-to-back birdies early in the round, Fowler followed with a par before adding another birdie on hole No. 4.
He remained composed through holes 5 and 6 with consecutive pars before carding yet another birdie on No. 7. Fowler closed out the front nine with two more pars, putting together an impressive 31 on the opening side. His form allowed him to quickly climb the leaderboard at Quail Hollow.
That momentum carried over to the back nine. Fowler birdied each of his first three holes after the turn. A bogey on hole 13 didn’t shake the Oklahoma State alum. He immediately bounced back with another birdie to regain momentum. He then added a par before picking up another birdie on hole 14 and a par on 15.
Fowler continued his strong finish with another birdie on 16 before closing out the round with steady pars on 17 and 18, showing solid play over the final two holes. His performance was a dramatic turnaround from Thursday’s opening round. It also put Fowler firmly in the conversation heading into the weekend.
The strong round was fueled by improved iron play and a hot putter, two things that Fowler seems to have figured out in recent events. The ability to quickly recover after mistakes also stood out, especially following the lone bogey on 13. Rather than letting the round slip, Fowler immediately answered with confident golf down the stretch.
Fowler’s 2026 Season
Fowler’s 2026 season has been one of serious consistency. Despite not yet securing a victory, he has made eight cuts in 10 starts while posting three top-10 finishes. His best result came at the RBC Heritage where he finished tied for eighth. He also posted T9 finishes at both the Cadillac Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Although Fowler narrowly missed qualifying for the Masters Tournament earlier this spring, he is set to compete in next week’s Major, the PGA Championship. His recent form suggests he could be heading in the right direction at the perfect time.
Currently ranked No. 52 in the Official World Golf Ranking and sitting 30th in the FedExCup standings, Fowler remains in position to continue building momentum throughout the summer portion of the PGA Tour.
With growing confidence and a game that reflects it, Fowler appears closer than ever to making another serious run at a PGA Tour victory, perhaps even at the Truist Championship.
Rickie Fowler Surges Up Leaderboard at Truist Championship