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Runner-up Rickie is still a winner

Published

12 years ago

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Underneath the dark grey skies of Royal Pines Golf Course on Sunday, Rickie Fowler stood out in more ways than one. After the dust had settled and the presentations were over, he was still signing autographs for fans beside the 18th green.

Rather than complain about the weather delay that halted his charge, Fowler was delighted to share in the joy of Adam Scott’s win of the Australian PGA Championship.

“That was the highlight, walking up [No. 18] with everyone around,” Fowler said. “Obviously I wasn’t going to win, but being alongside Adam and seeing him win in front of his hometown crowd and the support we had this week, that was the highlight.”

Fowler’s runner-finish netted him $127,500, small change compared to the more lucrative earnings he’s used to competing for on the PGA Tour. However, more importantly he collected an army of new fans who look up to the young man as much as his golf swing as his style and demeanor.

Scott’s victory completed the “Australian Slam” in his home country, no doubt the story of the week, but it took just that to keep headlines from being written about the popular American, a story that was as much about the way he carried himself as his impressive golf.

For example, Fowler seized an air horn from officials in a light hearted moment as the weather turned ugly during the final round. Neither the players nor the fans wanted the delay, but Fowler’s humorous gesture thrilled the gallery, who were pleased to see the international star take the situation in good spirits.

Those that were still not convinced of the Fowler charm were likely won over when the players returned from the weather delay. Scott hit a 4 iron to less than one foot, one of the best shots of the tournament. Fowler, in a show of great sportsmanship, held the flag as Scott tapped in for eagle.

His flamboyant personality and dress sense didn’t just bring fans out to the course, it also made Fowler’s trademark Puma merchandise the best seller in the pro shop all week. Many golf fans waited to see what outfit he was wearing each round before heading to the pro-shop to buy the very same attire.

Judging by the number of fans all dressed in orange at the Gold Coast on Sunday, it could have been re-named Orange County.

“It was a great week, the fans were awesome, we had a great following today,” Fowler said. “I know it was pretty crowded out there and it’s always great having the support. I definitely enjoyed my time on the Gold Coast and I’m looking forward to getting back down to Australia hopefully next year …. it’s definitely my favorite place outside of the States to come and play golf.”

It appears that even Scott is a big fan of Fowler, paying tribute to him in his victory speech.

“I love your work, I love watching you play and thank you for coming down here to play in front of us,” Scott said of Fowler. “What you do for the game of golf is just amazing.”

As an Australian, I hope we get to a see a lot more of Rickie Fowler in the coming years. We need players like this bringing fans to the game of golf.

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Troy Vayanos was born and still resides in Brisbane, Australia. He has been a passionate golfer for more than 25 years and loves learning and increasing his knowledge of the golf swing. He lives and breathes golf from his local golf course to the professional tours around the world. His website Hitting It Solid delivers the latest golf instruction that helps you break 100 and beyond. You’ll also learn the 7 critical steps you must know to play better golf today.

19 Comments

19 Comments

  1. Troy Vayanos

    Nov 12, 2013 at 2:05 am

    Hi Rich,

    Thanks for your comment. The article is 100% correct, there was no mention of the Australian Open or Australian Masters. It was the Australian PGA as I mentioned in the second paragraph.

    It was Damian’s comment that was incorrect but Scott’s comment was right on the money.

    Cheers

    Reply Report comment

    • Rich

      Nov 14, 2013 at 8:20 am

      I will say I agree with you that Rickie Fowler seems like a good guy and deserves all the accolades he receives. Good luck to him.

      Reply Report comment

    • Rich

      Nov 15, 2013 at 3:23 am

      When the article was first posted on this website it 100% said Adam Scott had just won the Australian Open. It’s obviously since been corrected and yet you have the arrogance to be condescending to me when I pointed it out right after the article was posted. Of course my first comment wasn’t posted. Get your facts straight and have some common decency to admit your error. I’m sure others have pointed this out to you as well but now I can see their comments wouldn’t see the light of day either. Have some guts and admit your mistake. Have some guts Golf WRX and leave my comment on the story.

      Reply Report comment

  2. Damian

    Nov 11, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Nice article Troy. Going into the Australian Open I wasn’t entirely sold on Fowler’s character, but after watching the coverage over the weekend including his interactions with the fans, he seems like a really nice guy and has great game. Hope to see him more down under and put together more wins on tour.

    Reply Report comment

    • Steve yeomans

      Nov 11, 2013 at 7:20 pm

      I’m pretty sure the tournament covered was The Australian Masters,not The Australian Open.That being in Sydney and everything “golf fans”

      Reply Report comment

      • Steve yeomans

        Nov 11, 2013 at 7:22 pm

        Or was it the PGA?

        Reply Report comment

      • Scott

        Nov 11, 2013 at 7:26 pm

        The tournament in question was actually the Australian PGA. The Australian Masters and Australian Open are held in the coming weeks and I believe Adam Scott is playing all of them – would be incredible if he could complete the Aussie Slam!

        Reply Report comment

        • Rich

          Nov 11, 2013 at 9:35 pm

          Was 100% the PGA. Adam Scott did commit to all three (PGA, Open and Masters) and will be playing the World cup of golf at Royal Melbourne too.

          How on earth could you have gotten that so wrong Troy? And Golf WRX should do better if they want to cover golf properly? I would have though at least an Aussie writer would get the tournament right. Astonishing………..

          Reply Report comment

        • Damian

          Nov 13, 2013 at 4:40 pm

          sorry, it was the PGA, was getting ahead of myself

          Reply Report comment

  3. Alex

    Nov 11, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    Rickie Fowler? He’s still a thing? I thought Jordan Spieth replaced him.

    Reply Report comment

  4. TWShoot67

    Nov 11, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    I just had to stop in and drop a line. I watched Rickie play at the AT&T National when it was held in Philadelphia @ Aronimink Golf Club. I took my boys to see their favorites and one happens to be Rickie Fowler. The point I have to make is I have never seen another player as generous with his time then Rickie Fowler. This guy stood and signed autographs right after his round and then said to the patrons ” please let me go sign my score card and I’ll be back in a second”. Well Rickie true to his word came back and he continued to sign, take pictures with every single fan who wanted such. I mean this guy stayed there to the very last fan was happy. The shame is this can’t be said for 90% of the Tour, the rest would have left to sign their score card never to be seen again.

    Reply Report comment

  5. Robert Carl

    Nov 11, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    Good to see a real personality on tour. Everyone said Fred Couples should have won more tournaments and he probably should have, but he is still a driving force for the game. Everyone loves “Freddy” much like the crowds and players like Ricky. The kids love him.

    Reply Report comment

  6. Unbelievable!

    Nov 11, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    Sill amazed that people find it necessary to be critical of someone with high character and a never-ending positive attitude.

    People that like to point out his ” lack ” of winning don’t realize how much of a winner he is.

    That’s truly pathetic.

    Reply Report comment

  7. Troy Vayanos

    Nov 11, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    I agree Regis,

    I walked around Royal Pines last Saturday and watched a lot of Rickie’s round. His popularity is there for everyone to see. I was particularly impressed with his quicker speed of play which is something all golfers should strive for.

    Cheers

    Reply Report comment

  8. Troy Vayanos

    Nov 11, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    Mick, I think it is only a matter of time before Rickie wins more golf tournaments. It’s important to note he is playing in the most competitive tour in the world against the world’s best.

    I’m certain his time will come.

    Reply Report comment

  9. Regis

    Nov 11, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    Let’s all remember he is still very young. Also remember that he is “Phil Like” with fans and any time there is a one day charity event, especially for veterans he’s there-on his own dime. I’m 62 and most definitely not part of the “alt-golf” crowd but I think he’s a credit to the game.

    Reply Report comment

  10. mick

    Nov 11, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Fowler has certainly thrived in his niche as a pitchman to the alt-golf crowd, but if he is such a “winner,” why doesn’t he win more?

    Reply Report comment

  11. legitimategolf

    Nov 11, 2013 at 10:34 am

    Yay. Proof that you don’t need to win in order to win. Life is a paradox like that. Mmm hmm.

    Reply Report comment

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