Huge congrats are in order for Slick Rick Fowler. I am a Rickie Fowler Stan, used to rock the full orange fit with a pukka shell necklace when I was 17 and still convinced I would make the #PGATour (I'm just hitting my prime, I am a year away from making the Tour). This is about Rickie, not myself, but I will say....I did call this last night.
Heading into Sunday's round, many people on Twitter were saying how he isn't clutch, can't finish on Sundays, and took his quote after Saturdays round “Whether it happens tomorrow or not, it's going to happen here soon,” as a sign he isn't a winner.
Well, Fowler proved those people wrong.
He didn't light up the field and run away with it, but he played his game, didn't make any mistakes, and shot a bogey free (-4) Sunday round.
Collin Morikawa's 8-under round put him 1 shot back from the course record of 63. Adam Hadwin shot a 67 and Fowler a 68. After birdies on holes 3, 5, and 7, Fowler went stagnant with pars from the 8th to 17th hole. Heading into the 72nd hole of the tournament, Rickie found himself 1 back of both Morikawa and Hadwin, and needed to birdie the 18th, and Hadwin to par to make it into the playoff. He came away with a birdie and was able to secure a spot in the playoff.
Both Morikawa and Hadwin were sitting pretty in the middle of the fairway and had a 9 iron approach shot into the green, in which most people assumed one of them would come away with birdie. While Fowler hit his drive right, and found himself in the rough, but was fortunate for the free drop, in which gave him a favorable lie and straight shot to attack the pin.
Fowler ended up 12 ft from the pin for a birdie look, Hadwin landed his ball pin high, but spun back further than Fowlers (which ended up giving Fowler a read for his putt), and Morikawa went a tad long and had a chip for his birdie chance.
The fan favorite and longtime ambassador for Rocket Mortgage was cheered with chants of "Rick-ie! Rick-ie!" as clusters of people gathered around the 18th green hoping he would win it.
Hadwin missed his birdie putt, Morikawa was not able to chip in for birdie, and that left Fowler left to try and win it. Refusing to crumble and collapse again, he made the 12-foot birdie putt, two weeks after squandering a chance at the U.S. Open.
Rickie Fowler tilted his head back, exhaled and smiled. He finally did it, holding on for a win after so many have slipped away. "I knew it was just a matter of time with how I've been playing," said Fowler, who has eight top-10 finishes this season. "I've had a couple tough weekends where I had a chance."
Even though Morikawa was disappointed in coming up short on a victory he has been shooting for since winning the 2021 Open Championship, he was happy for Fowler. "He's been playing phenomenal golf, it's great to see," he said. "People love him."
Congrats again to Rickie Fowler on the W. For those who #gamble, here is a refresher from my pre round picks on Wednesday:
Outright Winner:
Rickie Fowler (+1400): Fowler has finished top 15 or better in eight of his last nine starts. The slumping star has looked solid from tee-to-green all season and is going to win this week. Over his last 10 starts, Fowler has gained an average of seven strokes against the field. Rickie’s flatstick is back and the approach game is just as great. The popular pro is ranked first in par-5 scoring and second in birdie-or-better percentage. Fowler has been posting some L O W rounds the last few tournaments. He’ll continue the hot play from L.A. and finally complete this comeback. At this point the only thing holding him back, is Sunday afternoon, and himself.
Also shoutout #MaxHoma on his hole in one.
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