After fourteen holes in the third round of the final stage of the PGA Tour Q-school, Rickie Fowler was 10-under. He jumped on the birdie train quickly with six on the front nine to shoot 30. On the back, he continued his hot streak, carding two birdies, an eagle and a par, and took a one-stroke lead at one point. But unfortunately, as these things happen sometimes, he made some costly mistakes down the stretch and played the last four holes four-over. Still, a great round of 6-under 66.

At the halfway mark of the grueling six rounds of Q-school, Rickie is T13 with a three-day total of 8-under, four strokes behind the leaders. He’s in excellent position to secure his 2010 Tour card — the top-25 finishers receive full exempt status for next year. Rickie’s play is especially impressive given he’s a first timer.

As you may remember, Rickie almost dodged even going to Q-school by finishing in the top-125 on the 2009 PGA Tour money list. Playing in his first PGA Tour event as a professional at the JT Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, he placed T7. The following week he almost won, narrowly losing in a three-way playoff. At the end of the season, he was ranked 135th on the money list, allowing him to bypass the first and second stages of Q-school.

Most important this week, he’s having fun and maintains a relaxed and composed attitude. Yesterday he enthusiastically professed, “Two months ago, I had nothing. Now I know it will be easier for me to get starts next year and I have a place to play. In a way, this is kind of a stress-free week for me.”

Seriously! Most pros would utter just the opposite. And with Rickie’s chill, fearless temperament, look for him to take his play up another notch in the final three rounds. Go, Rickie!

[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]