CHARLOTTE (N.C.) — Rickie fowler came up short in his pursuit of a Masters berth. This is the second consecutive year he has had to watch from home the first major men’s event of the year.
“I watched a good amount, as I’m sure everyone does.” Fowler told reporters on Wedensday that he watched live streaming on his phone while playing golf. “That was motivation enough to come back,” Fowler stated. “We were very close, but I put my self in too much of a bind to be able to come back.”
Fowler has climbed to No. Fowler, 34, has climbed from No. This week, he will be ranked 53rd in the Official World Golf Ranking at Quail Hole, his favorite hunting ground. He has also recorded seven top-20 finishes in his eight PGA Tour starts. He has a berth at the PGA Championship, which will be held in two weeks. If he stays in the top 60, he is also on track to qualify to play in the U.S. Open this June.
Fowler said he had a real struggle but that he felt he was on the right track. He also said he benefited from his dark time.
He said, “I wish the course was shorter.” It’s rewarding to know that we will get through it, and keep working to achieve this goal.
Could this week be the one where all the pieces of the puzzle come together and Fowler wins for the first since the 2019 WM Phoenix Open? Fowler is returning to the place where he claimed his first PGA Tour victory in 2012. He played against Rory McIlroy, D.A. In a three way playoff, Points was the third player. Fowler returned to the No. 18 hole after overcoming a three shot deficit by shooting a 3-under-69 on the final round. When Points bogeyed his final regulation hole, Fowler (then 23) joined the playoff. The 18th hole was a tricky pin, with a creek on the left side of the green. Fowler took a risk and hit a shaky shot. Fowler won the gamble as he hit the ball to four feet, made the putt and claimed his first Tour win.
Rickie Fowler, winner of the Wells Fargo Championship Golf Tournament at Quail Hole Club in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday, May 6, 2012, holds the trophy. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
“It felt great to finally be rid of the monkey on my back,” Fowler said. He noted that he had been scheduled to share a plane to the Players Championship, in Florida, with Ben Curtis, and Geoff Ogilvy. They sat waiting for Fowler’s winner duties. “I think that I picked up the flight.”
How sweet will the next “W” feel? He said that nothing can replace the first, but the next one will be special. But I don’t believe it will compare to the first.
