Did Rickie Fowler’s new girlfriend inspire his first round?

Rickie Fowler shot an opening round 65 at Erin Hills – the best ever opening major round to par – and people started to believe it was all down to his new girlfriend, Allison Stokke.

Just in case you missed his opening round:

Recapping @RickieFowler's first-round 65 in under two minutes. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/jKZRUqfncw

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2017

#RickFoundAChick was the hashtag that emerged on Twitter and it looks like there may just be something behind it:

Are y'all surprised Ricky is leading the US Open right now!? #rickfoundachick pic.twitter.com/MCUCwY5MGf

— DJ Martinak (@djmartinak) June 15, 2017

Can't be coincidence that Rickie Fowler turns it on in the big events when #RickFoundaChick

— Alex Perry (@AlexPerryNCG) June 15, 2017

#RickFoundAChick pic.twitter.com/6cTFkbVjfy

— National Club Golfer (@NCGmagazine) June 15, 2017

Rickie finally got himself a babe, now he's about to grab his first major. I can just feel it. #RickFoundAChick

— jesse alexander (@jessecano10) June 15, 2017

#RickFoundAChick then fired off an opening round 65. I like that

— Fernando Sucre (@JohnH_10) June 15, 2017

New girl, new Rickie #rickfoundachick #USOpen

— John Tieso (@ambitiousute) June 15, 2017

Rickie Ballin right now @usopengolf #RickFoundAChick

— Ryan-Justin Palanca (@Panksssssss) June 15, 2017

Falling in love seems to have a remarkably positive impact on PGA players' form (right, @TheSergioGarcia?). #rickfoundachick (his new #) https://t.co/iyfQbHmCCE

— Stina Sternberg (@StinaSternberg) June 15, 2017

It's too bad that #RickFoundAChick… his equation for success at the #USopen??+❤️=??

— Emily Robertson (@EmilyMeade123) June 15, 2017

Well whatever works, right Rickie?

After what felt like an eternity some golf was ACTUALLY played on Thursday. Here is how some of the field reacted to their first look at the Erin Hills course:

Felt uncomfortable on the track today and just didn't play well. Not a good combo! Reset, grind and get back at it tomorrow. @usopengolf

— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) June 15, 2017

After a slow start #careoferinhills2ndcutofrough ?Battled hard on my back 9 Hit the ball pretty nicely Putter was decent Better day to come

— Ross Fisher (@RossFisher) June 15, 2017

Not what I hoped for today but I've done some good work on the range this afternoon. Lets see what I can do tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/EndwFntF9l

— Matt Wallace (@mattsjwallace) June 15, 2017

Never going to score well when you can't hole a putt/make a birdie!
Frustrating opening round, didn't play as bad as score suggests #USOpen

— Tyrrell Hatton (@TyrrellHatton) June 15, 2017

Already looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow for Round 2! It was great to talk with @lequipe after my round today too ? pic.twitter.com/dqOCnY4LBI

— Joël Stalter (@JoelStalter21) June 15, 2017

Oh, and in case you were under a rock or something a blimp crashed near the Erin Hills course. Yes, you read that right.

Don’t believe me? Take a look:

THIS IS INSANE! Blimp pops and explodes into flames near US Open today. Blimp was not affiliated with tournament.pic.twitter.com/1ZRHeYnyVF

— TotalProSports (@TotalProSports) June 15, 2017

Just got to the #USOpen and the blimp caught fire and crashed. People parachuted out. pic.twitter.com/1lDi3VkXCu

— madison seigworth (@msiggyy) June 15, 2017

#USOpen blimp going down on fire. pic.twitter.com/cRAX4apE7R

— Drez (@AaronDrez) June 15, 2017

And, as always, the internet responded accordingly:

OK Protracer on the blimp crash is a bit much pic.twitter.com/AVJaYCNa00

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) June 15, 2017

BREAKING: The pilot of the blimp that crashed on the US Open course has been identified pic.twitter.com/3c6yD3Essj

— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) June 15, 2017

I bet Tiger Woods was driving the US Open blimp. 🙁

— SportsPickle (@sportspickle) June 15, 2017