LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rickie Fowler wore purple for the third round of the 96th P.G.A. Championship. A few years ago, the purple might have had a brilliant fuchsia hue or maybe something magenta. It would have been something eye-catching, for sure.

Perhaps amethyst, mulberry, orchid or lavender.

But Saturday his pants and shirt were just a standard purple, with a lot of plain white accents and a tiny flash of muted yellow mixed in.

The shoes? White. The hat? White.

How our little Rickie is growing up.

Fowler, 25, has been serious in his approach to the major championships this year. A renowned, top-level player without a transcending, top-level result, Fowler has tried to put the focus on the dull numbers of a dazzling scorecard rather than the vivid tints of his wardrobe, which never truly masked a golf game that was a shade below the upper echelon.

The conservative tactics have worked as Fowler has compiled the best record to par of any player — at 29 under — in 15 competitive rounds in the majors this season.