Rickie Fowler’s Promising Performance Sparks Debate on His Return
While Rickie Fowler may not have clinched the Tourist Championship, his performance certainly felt significant—more like a meaningful step rather than just a week-long warm-up. After finishing in the top five at Quail Hollow, fans are again wondering, “Is Rickie Fowler back?”
What does “back” even mean, though? If it refers to the days when he ranked No. 4 globally and consistently challenged for major titles, perhaps not just yet. But if it’s about being one of the sport’s well-loved figures, competing prominently, and rekindling hope among fans, then yes, Fowler is certainly making things interesting once more.
At 37, Fowler boasts a remarkable amateur record, highlighted by a 36-week reign as the top-ranked amateur from 2007 to 2008. He earned the Ben Hogan Award in 2008, recognizing him as the best college golfer while at Oklahoma State.
As he entered the professional realm, Fowler quickly transformed from an anticipated talent into one of the most recognizable faces on the PGA Tour. With his distinct Oklahoma State colors, flat-brimmed cap, motocross background, and charismatic appeal, he became a fan favorite.
Fowler scored his first PGA Tour victory in 2012 at Quail Hollow, edging out Rory McIlroy and DA Points in a playoff at the Wells Fargo Championship (now the Twist Championship). That moment felt monumental, leading many to anticipate further successes; however, he wouldn’t win again until the marquee Players Championship in 2015.
Interestingly, the 2014 season saw Fowler achieve an extraordinary feat by placing in the top five, or better, across all four majors—yet he didn’t win. His strong showing at the Masters, US Open, British Open, and PGA Championship that year was stunning, but his path took a winding turn afterward.
Despite having nine top-five finishes and 13 top-10s in major tournaments, Fowler hasn’t added another trophy to his shelf since 2015. This peculiar blend of popularity and near-misses has made him a fascinating character; he’s loved by fans and respected by fellow competitors, even if his major championship journey feels unexpectedly incomplete.
Recently, Fowler’s upward trajectory has gained attention. Throughout the year, he’s registered solid finishes, including T-15 at the Trust Championship, T-7 at the Memorial, T-14 at the Open Championship, T-6 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and T-7 at the BMW Championship.
This current season features commendable top-10 finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, and Cadillac Championship, culminating in a T-2 finish at Quail Hollow. These performances suggest Fowler is still competitive at the highest levels.
His recent form echoes broader implications, especially considering he missed the Masters this year and has only played there once since 2021. In the past, he’s often found himself scrambling just to participate in major tournaments, rather than contending for victories.
This ongoing performance is pivotal, with Fowler recently participating in the PGA Championship at Aronimink. Given his proximity in the rankings, a strong showing could alter his major schedule for the season.
The upcoming U.S. Open will accept the top 60 players in the World Golf Rankings, while the British Open will draw from the top 50. Fowler is currently outside that elite group, highlighting how a successful PGA Championship could be truly transformative—not just for his ranking but for the narrative around his career.
So, if Fowler manages to maintain this momentum and finishes in the top four at the PGA Championship, there’s a strong possibility he could gain entry to next year’s Masters. That’s quite the incentive.
While he might not be fully back to his former glory as the No. 4 player, this week suggests a new trend is emerging rather than just a fluke performance. For someone whose career is characterized by both adoration and near misses, this development is certainly worth paying attention to.
