Rickie Fowler… six time winner on the PGA Tour. As a result, he’s now gotten an automatic invitation to play in next weekend’s PGA Championship. After a challenging season that saw him miss the Masters and struggle for consistent finishes, Fowler’s recent performance indicates he may be on the path to recovery. His mind—and more importantly, his body—are better, giving him the chance to come back to the sport he’d dominated for so many years.
Fowler’s winless drought dates back to last July, when he took the title at Detroit’s Rocket Mortgage Classic. There, he clinched his victory with a thrilling 12-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole. Fowler has encountered headwinds since that victory. Currently ranked 125th in the world, he’s played nine events this year and hasn’t produced a top-10 result.
For context, Fowler was ranked 146th the last time he got an unexpected call-up to the PGA Championship. His only top finish at this major hometurf event came in 2014 when he finished tied for third. This year, he required a sponsor exemption to play at the suburban Philadelphia track. The rookie proved just how bright his future is with an incredible round of 7-under-63 on Thursday at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Fowler’s brilliant day included a whopping eight birdies and just a single bogey. He finished his performance with a birdie on 18, reminding everyone just what made him so special. He holed a memorable 13-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-4 seventh hole. His fine performance may mark a new chapter as he heads into the rich invitationals coming up.
Looking back on his mental state, Fowler admitted that he let all the outside noise affect his game.
“The negative stuff, I would say, kind of helps me in a way because it fuels me to kind of go out and prove people wrong,” – Rickie Fowler.
He looked ahead with excitement to his game, and the progression he’s shown so far.
“I’ve been happy with where my game’s been at for quite a while. I just haven’t really seen the product of the work I’m putting in or what I feel like I can produce,” – Rickie Fowler.
Fowler made it clear he has much to prove to himself in these next three events.
“You obviously want to come out and prove yourself,” – Rickie Fowler.
Beyond the step up in competition, he pointed to physical improvements as a big reason for his much-improved performance.
“My body’s feeling better, kind of allowing me to go play golf,” – Rickie Fowler.
Fowler’s journey since his first PGA Tour victory at Quail Hollow in 2012 has been marked by ups and downs. He makes the same zealous annual preparations for the PGA Championship. Desperate to end his winless drought, one of the game’s brightest stars looks to transform his game and return to the upper echelons of golf greatness.
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