Opinion & Analysis
Why disliking Rickie Fowler as a person needs to stop
As two 25-year-olds marched up Royal Liverpool’s 18th fairway Sunday—names firmly planted atop the leaderboard and unhassled by the cornerstone player of this generation, who had long ago vacated the course’s premises—the story of the youngsters usurping the scene from the old guard seemed too tasty to pass up.
And boy did the assembled scribes ever leap at that opportunity. Time to start construction on the headstone. Tiger Woods Era: 1997-2014.
Rory McIlroy, the boy prince from the British Isles, closed out his third major championship walking up to that final green, a feat that earned him high and deserved accord for a man who is but 25 (and, importantly, not 26).
His counterpart in the action was Rickie Fowler, the hope on the other side of the Atlantic. He shares the same age as McIlroy, a similar modicum of talent and, on this day, the praises of the press.
Even if it wasn’t a victory, which Fowler has thus far been short on, the result was further confirmation that the 25-year-old was on the right track. This was his third top-five in three majors in 2014, and his second consecutive T2, which boded well for his future prospects.
For the core of golfing fans and reporters, this served as another sign that Fowler’s on-course production in future years will be insanely profitable. Many are convinced the wall to his first major championship falls quite soon, maybe even in a month at Valhalla.
These proclamations are nothing out of the ordinary. We tend to overreact to even the whiff of a new star’s emergence.
But when it comes to Rickie Fowler, this is shocking. It amounts to a total reversal in how the public views Fowler and his prospects.
Fans and media alike have long skewered this American golfing son for his deficiencies in on-course production. Ever since Fowler turned pro in 2009, he has been plucked into the expectation category of one of the game’s next superstars. While grand, in the ever increasing impatience of sporting society, instant banking on potential is expected, and falling behind, no matter how small the measure, is fiercely documented as a failure.
OK, maybe that’s a bit of an overstatement, right? We at least give these players a year or two of leeway to develop before we judge.
Except that is not the case. At all.
People are already worried about Jordan Spieth’s ability to close tournaments, even as he remains below the legal age to drink alcohol in the United States. And with Fowler, they’ve been even harsher.
Fowler did something quite impressive in his first 16 months as a pro. He lost in a playoff in his second PGA Tour start, captured his card in Q-School and posted seven top-10s and two runner-up finishes in an opening campaign that netted him PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors.
Yet, the successes weren’t the focus. Rather, the most important development, in the eyes of the public, proved to be the fact that Fowler laid up from the fairway on a par-5 late in an event where he was near the lead. The conservative play aided him in falling short of his maiden title.
Criticism also abounded about Fowler’s Rookie of the Year credentials. Sure, seven top-10s and nearly $3 million in earnings was nice, but he had no victories for the year. McIlroy did have a win, as well as top-three finishes in multiple majors, making him the better candidate for the award, so they argued.
But this was only the tip of the iceberg.
Considering what has transpired since, Fowler may look fondly on the comparatively muted criticism he received through 2010. In the following years, the press hounding has been significant and brutal, but it’s the fan interaction that is the real issue.
It’s enough to criticize a player and want him to do better. Maybe the salty reviews of his golfing performance are a bit over the top, but they aren’t entirely unfair.
With Fowler though, a sizable portion of golfing viewers genuinely dislike him as a person. And that, I just don’t get.
Before I go on, let’s be clear. Rickie Fowler is in no way universally disliked or even disliked by the majority. For the significant portion of viewers who have some personal animosity toward Fowler, there’s an infinitely larger portion that adores the man. That being said, the “haters” exist and they aren’t quiet.
The fan ire has drawn from two sources. First, there’s Fowler’s marketing arm. From the beginning of his professional tenure, Fowler proved insanely successful in trumpeting his star power and ringing in high-quality endorsements. While instrumental to his financial security, it has rubbed others the wrong way.
To outsiders, Fowler’s diligence in developing his commercial persona, not to mention his unique and outlandish fashion choices, is greater than the work he puts in his golf game. In simpler and more cliched terms, he is “style over substance.”
And this leads into the second source of discord: Fowler is a vast underachiever of his potential. In the American sporting arena, fans will mostly tolerate a player’s personal shortcomings as long as they don’t negatively alter their game performance. When the correlation between lack of effort and poor performance appears real though, that’s when the collective fan hood pounces. Actually, poor performance itself garners hostile feelings, regardless of a player’s work ethic.
Whatever the case, Fowler’s underachieving game and perceived overratedness on the course does nothing but aid the large chorus of golfing fans who have chosen to personally dislike the 25-year-old.
But is any of this really fair? What exactly makes these reasons to hate Rickie Fowler?
So, he’s a great marketer. Shouldn’t we applaud his ability to sell himself as a commodity? Isn’t that what’s in vogue nowadays?
Yes the clothes are flashy and look, uhh…let’s just say creepy on middle-aged men. But are we going to fault a guy for his unique fashion sense? Especially when he can take a joke about it?
Underachievement is an even more fallow reason to sully a player’s character. He is following short of our expectations, not marks that he set. Certainly the marketing machine Fowler has largely enabled added to these large projections of future success, but much was going to be anticipated of the Oklahoma State grad regardless of whether he signed on the dotted line for corporate sponsors.
Being overrated is not necessarily a character flaw. Injuries, bad luck, a misinterpretation of talent, etc. get in the way a lot more here than a poor work ethic.
Honestly it’s quite perplexing as to why Fowler is characterized as a villain among a sizable portion of golf’s fan base. And it needs to be halted in its tracks.
Not only are the reasons for disliking him shallow, but the arguments in his favor are numerous and strong.
To start, and this is a heck of a way to kick off, the perception that Fowler cares more about his clothes or his ability to secure sponsors is dead wrong. Not even a hint of truth there.
In fact, Fowler has a reputation for working on his game as much as a potential superstar should. And no matter the talent, you don’t have those first 16 months as a pro scurrying around with your sponsors and fashion choices 24/7.
Fowler’s move to Butch Harmon last year further confirmed his commitment to his on-course record. As Harmon himself relayed, Fowler told him outright, “I want to be known for more than my clothes and my hat. I want to be known for my game. Can you help me?”
More than motivation though, Fowler is one of the sweethearts of the PGA Tour. Jim “Bones” Mackay compared the 25-year-old to Steve Stricker for his ability to be universally liked by those on Tour. In Golf Digest’s comprehensive rankings of the nicest players on the PGA Tour–compiled by receiving input from the full array of sources involved with Tour events–Fowler finished T3 among the populace (Stricker placed first for the record).
And he’s a dedicated warrior to those who stake the most in his play: the fans. If there were a ranking on that front, he might finish second behind Phil Mickelson. He’s never afraid to sign autographs and is observed to possibly be the best among Tour players when it comes to his work at clinics.
He also goes the extra mile for sponsors, which helps explain why he so easily acquires them.
Really, if Fowler won more, you could legitimately theorize that he was a Tim Finchem lab creation. The gripes against Fowler’s character are so nonexistent, a P.I. couldn’t dig anything up. (Not even Dick Fowler. Sorry, we had to.)
With that, it’s time to move from this personal animosity toward Fowler. Doubt his playing record all you want–although I would tread more lightly in that area at the moment–it just doesn’t make sense to chastise his personality.
The press is on Fowler’s side for his on-course accolades following an extraordinary year in the majors, when he made it clear at the beginning of the year that this was his exact goal.
But if Fowler regresses, the assembled writers won’t have his back for long. The aftermath of Fowler’s lone PGA Tour victory proves as much.
Criticism for his golf will ebb and flow. The rap of him as a person doesn’t have to.
Rickie’s one of the best examples of the attitude people want young Tour stars to have. It’s about time everybody treats him as such.
Opinion & Analysis
Brandel Chamblee PGA Championship Q&A: Rose’s huge McLaren risk, distracted LIV pros and why Aronimink suits the bombers
PGA Championship week is here, and Brandel Chamblee did not hold back in our latest discussion ahead of the season’s second major.
In our 2026 PGA Championship Q&A, golf’s leading analyst made the case that PIF pulling LIV’s funding has left its players competing in a state of confusion, called Justin Rose’s mid-season equipment switch a huge risk at 45, and explained why Aronimink will be a bombers’ delight this week.
Check out the full Q&A below.
Gianni: With the PIF confirming that they’re pulling funding from LIV at the end of the season, what impact do you expect that to have on the LIV players competing at the PGA Championship?
Brandel: I would imagine that they have all been thrown into a state of confusion, and will be distracted, not knowing where they are going to play next year and not knowing exactly their road back to either the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour. Or in Rahm’s case, being tied to a sinking ship for the next few years, likely playing for pennies on the dollar in events that no one cares about or watches.
I doubt this would put him in the best frame of mind to compete at his highest level. Keeping in mind, however, that majors are the only time that LIV disciples get to play in events that matter, so never disregard the motivation they have to prove to the world they are still relevant.
Gianni: Justin Rose switched to McLaren Golf equipment mid-season while playing some of the best golf of his career. What do you make of the change?
Brandel: I don’t really know what to make of Rose switching equipment. It seems a huge risk on his part, even though it is likely, in my opinion, that the clubs he’s playing are similar, if not the exact grinds, to what he was playing previously, with a McLaren stamp on them.
Having said that, at best, it is a distraction when he seemed to be as dialed in with his game as any 45-year-old could be and trending in the majors to perhaps do something that would definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. At worst, given the possibility that these clubs aren’t just duplicates of his old set stamped with McLaren on them, he’s made an equipment change that would take time, and 45-year-old athletes don’t have the time to do such things.
Gianni: Aronimink has only hosted a handful of professional events since it hosted the 1962 PGA Championship. What kind of test does it present, and does a course with less recent major championship history tend to level the playing field?
Brandel: Even though Aronimink has only hosted a handful of meaningful professional events, it has been fairly discerning in who can win there. When Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship on the Donald Ross masterpiece in 2018, he was the 2nd best iron player on tour coming into that week. When Nick Watney won the AT&T at Aronimink in 2011, he was 2nd in strokes gained total coming into the week.
In 2020, Aronimink hosted the KPMG Championship, and Sei Young Kim won. On the LPGA that year, she was first in greens in regulation, putts per green in regulation, and scoring average on the way to being the LPGA player of the year. And then there is the 1962 PGA Championship won by Gary Player, who eventually became just one of a few players to win the career grand slam on the way to winning 9 majors. It is a formidable test, and if it’s not softened by rain, it will bring out the best in the upper echelons of the game.
Gianni: Is there a specific hole at Aronimink that you think will do the most to decide the winner?
Brandel: The hardest hole at Aronimink in each of the three tour events that have been played there since 2010 has been the long par-3 8th hole, with the par-4 10th being the second hardest, so most of the carnage will happen around the turn, but with the par-5 16th offering opportunities for bold plays and the tough closing holes at 17 and 18, the finish is likely to be frenetic.
Gianni: The PGA Championship has always sat in the shadow of the other majors. What does the ideal PGA Championship look like in your eyes, and what would it take for it to carve out its own identity?
Brandel: The PGA Championship, to whatever degree it suffers from the comparison to the other three majors, is still counted just as much when adding them up at the end of one’s career. Almost 1/3 of Nicklaus’ major wins were the five PGA Championships he won. Walter Hagen won 11 majors, five of which were PGA Championships.
Tiger Woods twice in his career won back-to-back PGA Championships, and those four majors count just as much as the other 11 he won. The PGA may not have the prestige of the other three, but it carries the same weight. Having said that, I preferred the identity that it had as the last major of the year.
Gianni: You nailed your Masters picks. Rory won, Scottie finished solo second, and Morikawa surged to a tie for seventh. Who are your top 3 picks for the PGA Championship and why?
Brandel: I am not a huge fan of majors played on golf courses that have been shorn of most of the trees, although I understand some of the agronomic reasons for doing so and of course the ease with which it allows members to play after errant drives. However, at the highest level, it all but eliminates any strategy off the tee and turns professional golf into an even bigger slugfest. That means that it will likely be a bomber’s delight this week, but fortunately, Scottie Scheffler is long enough to play that game and straight enough to play it better than anyone else.
The major championships give us very few surprises anymore, going back to the beginning of 2012, so the last 57 majors played, the average world rank of the winners has been better than 15th in the world. So look at the highest ranked and longest drivers who are on form coming into the PGA Championship who also have great short games as the surrounds at Aronimink are very challenging. That’s Scottie Scheffler by a mile and then McIlroy and Cameron Young with a far bigger nod towards DeChambeau than I gave him at the Masters.
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
This year my 50th birthday. Gosh, where has the time gone?
As a teenager in rural Missouri, some of my junior high and high school years felt interminable. Graduation seemed light years away. But the older I get, the faster life seems to fly by.
I’m also increasingly aware of my mortality. My dad died recently. Earlier this year, a friend and fellow PGA of America professional and I were texting about our next catch-up. The next message I received was news of his unexpected passing at 48. Shortly after, a woman I dated in college succumbed to cancer at 51.
Certainly, one can share perspective at any age. Seniors help freshmen, veterans guide rookies. But reaching this milestone feels like as good a time as any to do one of those “what would I tell my younger self?” articles.
I’ve had a uniquely varied career in golf. I started as a 27-year-old, average-length-hitting, 14-handicap computer engineer and somehow managed to turn pro before running out of money, constantly bootstrapping my way forward. I’ve won qualifiers and set venue records in the World Long Drive Championships, finished fifth at the Speedgolf World Championships, coached all skill levels as a PGA of America professional, built industry-leading swing speed training programs for Swing Man Golf, helped advance the single-length iron market with Sterling Irons®, caddied on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and played about 300 courses across 32 countries.
It’s been a ride, and I’ve gone both deep and wide.
So while I can consult and advise from a lot of angles, let me keep it to a few things I’d tell the average golfer who wants to improve.
1. Think About What You Want
Everyone has their own reason for picking up a golf club.
Oddly, as a professional athlete, I’m not internally driven by competition. That can be challenging, as the industry currently prioritizes and incentivizes competition over the love of the game.
For me, I love walking and being outdoors. Nature helps balance my energy. I prefer courses that are integrated into the natural beauty of their surroundings. I’m comfortable practicing alone. I’m a deep thinker, and I genuinely enjoy investigating the game, using data and intuition to unearth unique, often innovative insights. I’m fortunate to be strong and athletic, so I appreciate the chance to engage with my abilities. Traveling feels adventurous. I could go on.
You don’t have to overthink it like I do. For you, it might be as simple as hitting balls to escape work, hanging out with friends, and playing loosely with the rules and the score.
The point is to give yourself permission to play for your own reasons, and let that be enough.
But if improvement is your goal, thinking about your destination—and when you want to get there—is important, because it dictates the steps you need to take. When I set out to go from a 14-handicap to the PGA TOUR as quickly as possible, the steps I needed were very different from those of a working golfer trying to break 90 in six months. That’s also different from someone who just wants a few peaceful hours outside each week, away from work or family.
None of these goals are better than the others, but each requires a different plan that you can work backward from.
2. There Are Lots of Things That Can Work
One of the challenges of golf is that, although there are rules for playing, there aren’t clear, industry-wide standards for how to best play the game. There’s a lot of gray area.
You might hear a top coach or trainer insist that a certain move is the best way to swing or train. Then you dig a bit deeper and, much to your confusion and frustration, another respected coach or trainer says something completely different. I don’t think anyone is trying to confuse you—at least I hope not. It’s just where the industry is right now.
You have to be careful with advice from tournament pros, too. They might be great at scoring, but they’re also human and sometimes just as susceptible as amateurs to believing things that don’t really move the needle. Tour players might describe what they feel, but that’s not always what they’re actually doing when assessed with technology.
I recently ran a test on my YouTube channel (which connects to my GolfWRX article “How to use your hands in the golf swing for power and accuracy”), and, interestingly, two of the most commonly taught hand actions produced the worst results in the test.
Coaches can certainly help. If you find someone you connect with to help navigate, that’s great. But there are many ways to get the ball in the hole. In the current landscape, you may need to seek multiple opinions, think critically, and use your own intuition to discern what seems true and whose advice resonates with you.
I’d recommend seeking someone who is open-minded and always learning, because things constantly change. Absolutes like “correct” or “proper” should raise a red flag. AI can be useful, but it tends to confidently repeat popular advice, so proceed with caution.
3. Get Custom Fit
If you’re serious about becoming a better player, getting custom fit is hugely important. There’s no sense fighting your equipment if you don’t have to. Most better players get fit these days and, if they don’t, they’re usually skilled enough to work around clubs that aren’t ideal.
If you plan to play for a long time, it’s worth spending a little more upfront to get something that truly fits you and your game, rather than continually buying and discarding equipment.
Equipment rules haven’t really changed significantly since the early 2000s. To stay in business, manufacturers keep pushing those limits. If you pull a bunch of clubs and balls off the rack and test them, you’ll find differences. I’ve tested two new drivers and seen a 30-yard total distance gap. Usually, the issue isn’t bad equipment; it’s that the combination of components simply isn’t the best fit.
It’s like wearing a new pair of floppy clown shoes. Sure, they’re shoes—but you won’t sprint your best in them compared to track shoes that fit perfectly.
Be wary of what’s called custom fitting, too. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing strategy rather than an actual fitting. In some retail settings, fitters may be incentivized to steer you toward higher-priced components. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s not the best fit, but you should be aware of potential biases.
I learned a version of this lesson outside of golf. Years ago, I bought a tennis racquet at a big box store from a seemingly knowledgeable employee who thought it would suit me best. The racquet gave me tennis elbow, and I spent months recovering with rest and acupuncture. The next season, I invested more time and money to find what actually fit me, and I walked away with something amazing that I still play with years later.
So if you’re going to get fit, be smart about it.
Find someone you believe has deep knowledge—possibly with certifications, but not necessarily. Make sure there’s a wide inventory across many brands. Check recent reviews for the individual fitter if possible. Make sure you trust that the fitter has your best interests at heart. If they’re wearing a hat or shirt with a specific brand’s logo, proceed with caution. Unless you specifically want a certain brand or look, be wary of upsells, especially if two options perform nearly the same.
Also, while golf is called a sport of integrity, there’s a thread of manipulation in the industry. I once drafted an equipment article for an industry magazine, structured just like one of their previous popular stories, with matching word count and great photos. The assistant editor loved it; it was useful to readers and required little work on his part. But the editor-in-chief nixed the story. When I asked why, I was told it was because I wasn’t an advertiser. It turned out the article I’d modeled mine after was a paid ad cleverly disguised as editorial content.
I really dislike games, clickbait, and fear-based manipulation. I hope this changes, but golfers deserve to know it exists.
4. Distance and Strategy Matter
There’s a real relationship between how far you hit the ball and your scoring average, even at the PGA TOUR level.
I experienced this early in my pro career. I started as a power hitter, swinging in the high 120s and breaking 200 mph ball speed with a stock driver.
Back then, some instructors advised swinging at 80%, so I tried slowing down for more accuracy. That worked fine on shorter, tighter courses. But on longer setups, I was coming into greens with too much club, and par 5s stopped being
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Sahil
Mar 8, 2019 at 7:00 am
He’s a good person but very ordinary tour player. Any other player who knows they coming up against Rickie Fowler down the stretch will feel that they have a chance. I’m pretty sure that they would quite intimidated by a Jordan Spieth, JT, Tiger, Phil. he just lacks that big match temperament.
Swingblade
Aug 11, 2014 at 12:38 pm
An article written by a Fowler fan boy is just what Rickie doesn’t need at this stage. It smacks of an us vs them mentality, young vs old. And, that is precisely the Rickie Fowler conundrum.
Rickie is a great young man and a great golfer. I like him and I know some of his family’s neighbors and they all like Rickie a great deal. That says a lot about him.
But, and this shouldn’t be rocket science, first impressions count. Period. A young guy comes along and basically wears gang banger hats and wild colors that no adult wears in public and immediately just turns off a great many of the golfing public. Now while he continues to flaunt those clothing tastes possibly demanded by his lucrative sponsorships, he adds the fuzzy peach fuzz above and below the lip. Hating? I’ve never seen any of that. Uncomfortable might be a better word.
Some people will have difficulty separating the demonstrated message of Rickie the golfer from the unspoken message of Rickie the gang banger/teenager clothes horse. I wish Rickie nothing but the best in his career and I think he is a quality addition to the PGA. But, I believe it is time to grow up and enter the adult golfing world in both the spoken and unspoken styles of communication.
danno
Sep 6, 2014 at 2:16 pm
@Swingblade I stopped reading your comment when I got to “gang banger hats”. Really!? Regardless of who we’re talking about here, my friend, that is a bigoted statement. Shame on you.
Peter
Jul 29, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Johnny Miller summed it up best by saying something like “he’s the most famous pro who’s won only one tournament”. Or something like that. So Ricky’s done some great work building a brand before building his resume on course. That gets some ire, and perhaps rightfully so. I do agree that he appeals to the kids and that can’t be all bad. But I hope he treats these orange-wearing kids well when he bumps into them, if not he should get roasted, early and often.
Billy
Aug 11, 2014 at 9:46 am
It’s just a shame that no one will remember how well he really DID play this year. His worst finish in any major this year was 5th! LOL
Mike
Jul 28, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Poor little Rickie. I will now take out my violin. Seriously though, the guys got guts sporting that peach fuzz stache, gotta admire his courage to be different and be his own man. Better to be a trend setter, rather than a follower.
Joseph
Jul 24, 2014 at 9:33 am
I read this article a few days ago and was really surprised. I think it’s a bit irresponsible quite honestly. Disliking him as a person? How many people really know Ricky Fowler? Strange way to go about this. Maybe the content should have been more around his appearance (clothes, hair etc) and how many people that might be turned off by that? But not liking him ? I don’t get it. I think he’s always handled himself very well on the golf course. He’s mature beyond his years. He does a nice job with interviews and is very articulate. He turned someone away for an autograph? Maybe he was headed somewhere and needed to get there. His most important job is being ready to compete. Every single professional golfer has to say no to autographs at some point. Fowler is coming into his own. I wish him the best and encourage him to continue being himself.
Mike Ulligan
Aug 6, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Articulate? Are you kidding me? Fowler is the WORST interview on Tour. He’s a dullard capable only of muttering boiler plate phrases. A real snoozer
Joseph
Aug 11, 2014 at 1:55 pm
I wonder how well a lot of people at the age of 25 would do with live interviews where millions of people are watching. Give the kid a break. He will only get better and is a huge rising star in the game.
Randy
Jul 24, 2014 at 9:12 am
Always have liked Ricky, I just wish he had not cut his hair and become too conservative looking.. Needs to wear a real golf hat would be my only suggestion..
simon
Jul 24, 2014 at 4:17 am
I was unaware that Ricky was disliked at all. Yes his style is different but I certainly would not dislike him for it. In fact I think he brightens the game for every one.
I suspect a lot of his style is his sponsors choice and not necessarily his personal style.
He actually looked a little conservative at the open. As for his golf. A brilliant player that will be a front runner in the near future. I like him even if the author doesn’t. And I hope Ricky never gets to see this hurt full article.
Justin Dunham
Jul 23, 2014 at 9:22 pm
This may have been said by others, as I didn’t read every single comment, but the fact is that Rickie is not a “grad” of Oklahoma State, having left after two years. He is, however, an exciting young player, and certainly one of my favorites both for his style and his personality.
Russell
Jul 23, 2014 at 6:36 pm
This is news to me – I thought he was a good lad – and still is. I think he does a mountain of work for charity as a lot of pros do.
Is this a story that has been made up to fill a page on website because people are running out of things to talk about?
Foxrock
Jul 23, 2014 at 6:02 pm
From the time I first encounterd Rickie Fowler – at the Walker Cup in Royal County Down where he was not only the USA’s standout player but also the most wonderful ambassador for his country – I’ve admired him as a golfer and as a person. He exemplifies all that’s good in golf. He’s very sporting, a creative shot maker, got a great attitude, and is a super guy. What’s to dislike? And what on earth is this article really about??
Max
Jul 23, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I still am not a fan of Fowler and I am even less of a fan of Stricker. Bring on the Tigers and the Patrick Reeds for me. The cocky players are the most entertaining to watch!
Ruggo
Jul 24, 2014 at 6:34 am
False
Randy
Jul 24, 2014 at 9:10 am
Really, sorry, but Tigger is such yesterdays news. Love the new players
nikkyd
Jul 23, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Who is gonna write the article on Bubba Watson and expose the poor characterthat he really is behind the camera?
tank
Jul 23, 2014 at 5:00 pm
did bubba break up with you?
Chris
Jul 24, 2014 at 3:47 pm
Tank…. haha
Donnie
Jul 23, 2014 at 3:59 pm
I used to be a Rickie Fowler hater, mostly because of his persona, hair, hat, etc. so this article is valid in my opinion. However, now I am looking a bit past my first impressions and looking at how he has been working on his swing, how well he played at The Open, his reputation, etc. and becoming more of a fan than a hater. Way to go Rickie, keep up the good work.
tank
Jul 23, 2014 at 3:34 pm
This article is annoying.. every golfer gets hated on. get off fowlers tip
Scooter McGavin
Jul 23, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Haha! This sums it up quite eloquently.
Jack F
Jul 23, 2014 at 1:47 pm
If Stricker and Poulter had a kid…
Pat M
Jul 23, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Rickie is a fine young man and a great golfer. He and Sergio, who are good friends, put on a great show on Sunday trying to catch Rory. Anyone who dislikes the kid is a tool.
Josh
Jul 23, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Seriously Kevin – if you are hanging around so many people that dislike Fowler, you should take a look at who it is you are hanging around.
Please point me in the direction of all of this “dislike” for Fowler. I’m guessing these people also dislike Kuchar.
Nathan
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Yea, I’m not sure where the inspiration for this article came from, but Fowler seems to be a class act and very well-liked. This subject seems ridiculous.
steve
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:46 pm
It is sports. You cheer for who like and jeer for who you don’t. Should Red Sox fans, love the Yankees. Should Rory fans love Rickie? This article is written by someone that is clueless about sports. Not to mention the fact that it is meaningless. This kid is of generation of everyone gets a trophy for just showing up. In my day 2nd place was the first loser
Curt
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:42 pm
I don’t care what you wear as long as you are a good ambassador to the game of golf. He has a very nice personality, and is not full of himself like some other players we know. I think it’s cool and I’m 48 and don’t dress at all like him or want to. I respect him and his game, He’s a fine golfer. the author of this must have been grasping at straws to come up with this one.
badbilly429
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:26 pm
The public is so desperate for their to be a dominant figure in golf that anyone that falls short of winning back to back weeks or multiple majors is just not cutting it for most people. And while speith and fowler are great players and are being consistent, they are still not doing what Tiger has done in the past.
LY
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:22 pm
What a dumb article.
Nick
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Sticky Flower is a boss, he could do without the frail stash though…….
Jack
Jul 23, 2014 at 11:50 am
All relevant players have some “haters”. Lots of golfers wear flat brimmed hats. Don’t think there is enough Fowler “hate” to write an article about it. Must have been a slow day.
Travis
Jul 23, 2014 at 11:37 am
I don’t believe there is a significant amount of dislike for Fowler. He is a very likable and friendly person. People are a critical of his game and lack of winning. Pretty normal as most pro golfers get criticized for one thing or another. The golfing public generally wants to see a little more bang for the buck than he was delivering. He makes a lot of money from golf and with that there is the expectation of wins to validate it.
I’ve never really been a fan but I’m happy to see him taking the necessary steps to improve his game. Based on this years results I think some wins are not far away.
Kevin
Jul 23, 2014 at 11:29 am
I like his orange hat so much I wear one now! I also have seen many men wearing orange at the course. It is fun people.
Robert
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:13 pm
So anyone who wears orange on the course is only wearing it because of Fowler? Do you think that someone who wears red is only doing it because Tiger? Or anyone who wears black is trying to be Phil?
That may be the case with a 10 year old kid, but the last thing I think about when I put my golf attire on is Rickie, Tiger or Phil.
FM
Jul 23, 2014 at 1:23 pm
I love the ESPN commercial with Ricky being “color blind”, drinking decaf (orange handle coffee pot” and pouring orange juice in his coffee.
Wasn’t a big fan of him and Beiber haircut in the beginning. After seeing how well he interacts with fans and competitors, I’ve grown to respect him.
i really like how he strikes his irons.
Nick Parry
Jul 23, 2014 at 11:07 am
strange article to write, nothing to dislike about Rickie Fowler ; the game needs more Rickie Fowler’s , especially here in Europe. The game of golf is stuck in state of limbo, Take the Royal & Ancient “R&A” (something in the name here ! ) and what todays generation of youngsters see as an attractive and exciting sport.
Yes we need tradition and remember the greats, but some of the most successful golfers in the bygone era were working class fighting the class system.
I am not saying Rickie is working class, far from it, but when you are competing against Soccer or Football :), Tennis etc, the game needs to be exciting and Rickie is the poster boy for the new generation. Just needs a little more distance to hit it past Rory and Dustin then you have an exciting ambassador for the younger generation; throw in a major win, perfect.
Speith needs to liven up in my view, would rather watch Ricky. !
Jeff
Jul 23, 2014 at 11:05 am
What an article.
Most avid watches of golf would probably disagree with these comments.
I think these are the authors personal views and that’s a shame.
Ricky is a great player and class act .
Look again!!
Clemson Sucks
Jul 23, 2014 at 10:09 am
Didn’t realize there was this much hate for Fowler. Odd article.
MHendon
Jul 24, 2014 at 12:04 am
you should understand with that screen name. Its the orange. lol
Mike Ulligan
Aug 6, 2014 at 7:46 pm
There are so many haters that Fowler actually adresses the issues on his own website. Tons of people hate Rickie Fowler probably because he has sought so much attention without backing it up with performance. Others have stated that he came on the scene and tried to change the culture and style of golf with a hip-hop gangsta style. There are tons of people who resent this.
MarkCPA
Jul 23, 2014 at 9:26 am
Just checking my calendar and making sure it’s not April 1st after reading that article.
Nope, it’s not.
Bill
Jul 23, 2014 at 8:50 am
I’m 67 and think Fowler is a breath of fresh air. He over does the orange crush outfit but so be it. My disgust is with the ignoramus Bubba Watson and the Bible Thumper Webb Simpson and the Jezebel he’s married to, Dowd.
Mike Ulligan
Aug 6, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Fowler is also a “bible thumper” and attends bible groups on tour with Bubba and Webb. Just saying.
RJ
Jul 23, 2014 at 8:12 am
I don’t think I’ve seen a more useless article on GolfWRX. If you wanted to discuss how YOU dislike his sense of style or how YOU look ridiculous trying to dress like him, that’s one thing, but to say people dislike him as person is idiotic. Every time he tees it up there are hundreds, if not thousands, of kids lining his gallery wearing their flat brim hats and rooting for the guy. I’ve seen several threads with people talking about his clothes, but I’ve never once seen anyone say they dislike him a person.
rick
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:52 am
he does all the military support outings ,,@ his age that is awesome..class act
Ronald Montesano
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:08 am
I need an assignment like this! Keep the feedback coming, people.
KK
Jul 23, 2014 at 7:00 am
Phil, Adam and Bubba didn’t win majors until their 30s. Rickie is only 25. Give him some time. He may not need much going by his great major performance this year.
Ernasty
Jul 23, 2014 at 4:19 am
Dumb
Alan
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:41 am
I hate Jonas Blixt too
J
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:08 am
To everyone saying they didn’t know Rickie was disliked… Go read the forums. You’ll find a gaggle of grown men talking smack about another man’s clothes…. That may not imply dislike… But it implies a contempt of sorts… Like it or not.,,
MB
Jul 23, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Exactly. I’m a fan of Rickie and ALWAYS see hate for the kid. He’s probably the classiest guy on tour and dudes are always hating on him – online, media taking snide jabs, people at tour events. I follow Rickie at tour events when I can go and the amount of negative comments and jeers toward him is overwhelming. So the people who are saying this article is “dumb” are actually the uninformed ones… Go Rickie!
themanwith nogame
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:00 am
This article should be pulled from the site.
Tommy
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:40 am
We can all agree on that?
Tommy
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:40 am
*!!!
Enrique
Jul 23, 2014 at 1:06 am
yes..remove this article
Primexcel
Jul 23, 2014 at 11:07 am
Definitely should not have been a headlining article. You’re better than that Golfwrx, come on!
Andrew
Jul 23, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Agreed 100%, this is poor form Golf WRX.
DatSliceDoe
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:57 pm
I only know that the kids love him, and that is all that matters. We need to grow this game and get away from the stuck up, perfectionist attitude that some of the older players instill in our youth. The haters of Fowler either don’t exist or are very few, but they probably hate Tiger as well if not more. Let them. I honestly don’t care at all anymore. I’ve seen both players several times on tour and both are outstanding with their play as well as fan interaction, given how popular Tiger is (I shudder to say that to a hater…) he doesn’t have as much time to sign after a round, but I also didn’t see Rickie sign one item after a round at the Bridgestone last year.
If any of their actions offend anyone, you need to prioritize your ideas of what an athlete should be first. A human being, not some idol.
Tommy
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:54 pm
No one hates Ricky. We just hate his clothes.
Scott
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:01 am
Can’t wait for the article about all the Steve Stricker haters.
Mikec
Jul 23, 2014 at 8:55 am
Who are we? I like and wear lots of PUMA. Great color schemes for those who like a “bold” look.
Ruggo
Jul 24, 2014 at 6:36 am
Agreed puma clothes are awesome
Enrique
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:42 pm
Come on. This article is unnecessary. I haven’t met a soul who dislikes this kid. In fact most are extremely fond of the guy.
I feel like I’m watching the local news who is running out of stories and writes some BS article.
Charles
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:36 pm
The author needs to stop dismissing the Tiger Woods era as over.
DatSliceDoe
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:01 am
Fully agree. Knock him all you want, but I dare others to play to his level after undergoing a procedure like that. Get over yourself, Mr. Casey, this is like saying Nicklaus’ era was over in 1980, when within the next 6 years he won 3 majors. The TW era is over when he stops playing professional golf.
Ernasty
Jul 23, 2014 at 4:16 am
Preach on brother!
Charles
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:34 pm
If he didn’t stick his ears inside his hat, I would have no issue with him.
RM
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:38 pm
I was thinking the same thing. Pro baseball has required ears be inside the players cap for years!
tommy
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:39 pm
First photo..
Buck
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:51 pm
http://www.mgatour.com/news/chapter-news/pga-tewer-fowler-cuts-hair-plan-grow-out-ears-next
paul
Jul 22, 2014 at 10:43 pm
People dislike Ricky? Since when? Seems like a great kid. My two year old wants an orange hat. I suppose I could dislike that his sense of fashion is costing me money.
Tyler
Jul 22, 2014 at 9:16 pm
I agree with most of the sentiment on here that this article is ridiculous and no one “hates” Rickie. I’m sure many would agree that the amount of attention he receives with only 1 tour win is questionable, but hey, great marketing on his part.
My main point is, even if people do not care for Fowler, who cares? It’s the nature of being a sports fan that you will have people you cheer for and others you just can’t stand and hope they fall on their face. Since when did we as fans have to like everyone and hope everyone finishes first?
It’s professional sports at the end of the day and fans can feel however they want to regarding specific athletes. It’s what makes watching sports exciting!
P
Jul 22, 2014 at 9:06 pm
What a post!
The hate comes from his grandfather being Japanese.
EF
Jul 22, 2014 at 8:56 pm
Already been said, but should be said again. Who hates Rickie Fowler? To the contrary, he gets a pretty sizeable amount of n*t-huggery from pretty much everyone on the planet. I’ve always like him, his game, and his swing, but I think he is really only starting to deserve all of the ACCOLADES he has been getting for years.
This article makes absolutely no sense. I would guess the hate/neutral/adore percentages on Rickie are like 10%/40%/50%.
Moon
Jul 22, 2014 at 8:16 pm
He’s cool. Looks like young DiCaprio a bit.
Desmond
Jul 23, 2014 at 9:00 am
I saw the same thing — a resemblance
alan
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:57 pm
huh?? can i have the part of my life that i spent reading the first few paragraphs back? ill take the time i spent writing these comments back too.
85020
Jul 22, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Amen. Anyone in the public eye is open to supporters and detracters. Until reading this article, I had no idea Ricky Fowler was so disliked. Thanks for the eye opening worthless drivel. Now I can go back to watching my paint dry……………
ih8
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:19 pm
This article has to be the most long-winded, over-done article I’ve ever read on this site. I mean come on man, get to the point!
I get your point, the Rickie hating is a little over the top. However, I’d like to throw out something for you to consider. My philosophy is in this case is “don’t hate the player, hate the game.” Everything I’ve seen about Rickie shows him to be a pretty good dude and anyone who’s been a PGA tour event knows anyone who plays on tour is a player of a caliber beyond anything any of us will ever achieve on the links, but you know what I hate: the senseless media hype that goes along with him. You know, the articles that say Rickie things like Fowler has ‘a similar modicum of talent’ as Rory McIlroy or like when Rich Lerner and the vapid talking heads at GC who want to throw Rickie into any conversation they can because they only know the names of 5, maybe 6, golfers. The player is fine….but I sure do hate the game.
Victor
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:13 pm
What a ridiculous article. 13 people dislike him and you write a tome about it? Slow news day, I guess.
west
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Who dislikes Rickie? And why are these articles so hard to follow…written like a Shakespearian play.
Craig Smith
Jul 22, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Who dislikes him? Nearly everyone on tour. He is the worst kind of hypocrite. In the Payne Stewart vein.
JohnB
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Actually have some friends in very high places in the USGA and from what ive heard Ricky is one of the nicest guys on tour, very well liked and great to the fans
Ken
Jul 22, 2014 at 6:47 pm
It’s hard to imagine forming a dislike based on his clothes, hair, hats … That seems a tad shallow, IMO. That’s all a matter of personal style, marketing, being unique. He’s young enough to pull it off. What the hell. Most of the critics would jump at the opportunity given the chance. From everything I’ve seen, he’s a good kid with a great attitude. And he will win.
warchild
Jul 22, 2014 at 6:29 pm
The hate for Ricky is what’s wrong with golf. A good chunk of golfers are uptight and fussing over pointless nonsense. The guy is having fun playing golf on the pro level and making tons of money doing it. I’ll take a “slacker” Ricky Fowler having a good time making golf seem fun than an overachieving sourpuss like Tiger who looks like a walking therapy session.
Jack
Jul 22, 2014 at 6:12 pm
you can put me in the catagory of “dislike”……..when he shapes up his image and abandons his neon colors, flat bill cap and his stupid attempt at facial hair I may change my mind.
Jim
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:59 pm
Probably a gold full size family sedan driving , corn flake cereal eating, missionary position only kind of guy afraid of a little change from the normal huh Jack. He is great for the game at any given event how many little kids do you see rocking the orange puma gear with the puma flat bill hat . Whats wrong with that image, the guy signs every autograph asked of him at every event , never just walks past and looks the through the people that are his fans
Marc
Jul 22, 2014 at 10:23 pm
Jack – Grow up! How shallow you must be to judge based on attire and facial hair? The kids been amazing for the game and is a role model for kids of all ages. I’m sure you’re the epitome of fashion your self 😉 <— that's called an emoticon sorry for being relevant
Jeremy
Jul 22, 2014 at 10:35 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen: The “I’ll Play Persimmons until the Day I Die” guy from the Nike Commercials.
Enrique
Jul 22, 2014 at 11:43 pm
When he starts dressing like you everything will be ok? Jerk.
J
Jul 23, 2014 at 12:06 am
And you sir, should probably stop paying attention to other men’s clothes…. That’s beyond creepy. It’s disturbing. For one grown man to make comments about the color of another man’s clothes makes a pretty serious implication in and of itself….
Chisag
Jul 22, 2014 at 6:08 pm
… Can’t say I have ever heard anyone say they hated Rickie? I am 60 and have plenty of similar aged friends and folks I have talked to that all like Rickie. Sure more than a few hate his hat or his clothing choices but that never seems to include Rickie himself. Quite an accomplishment really and says a lot about his game and character.
Primexcel
Jul 22, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Didn’t know Fowler was disliked. Terrible article.
baddog
Jul 22, 2014 at 6:03 pm
This is about the most oddball and ridiculously titled article I’ve had the displeasure of reading. Seriously, was this a joke? The only people I imagine hate Ricky are the orange haters. Some people just have a cow about anything orange and part of the reason I am really enjoying my new JPX Forged. Like most of the commentary out there, this is pure dribble.
duboscd
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:54 pm
There is a lot of dislike towards him, mainly because of his fashion and style. And most of the “hate” towards him seems to be coming from either casual fans who only watch majors or the older, more traditional fan. Not everyone dislikes him, but there are plenty of people who don’t like him specifically because he wears a flat-brim cap, which I think is ridiculous.
wayunderpar22
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:45 pm
He needs to win a major. This year has certainly been a step in the right direction. I viewed him until the last few months as golf’s Anna Kournakova. All style no substance. Glad he is finally showing the game.
MHendon
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Yeah got to say I didn’t know Rickie was disliked. Seems to have more fans then most. I would think if under performing and over marketing ones self was a reason to dislike a player then John Daly would be the poster boy for that.
justin
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I was at the memorial for the pro am when a little kid went up to ricky and asked him for an autograph. The kid was in a orange puma hat puma shirt and puma pants. You could tell this meant the world to this kid. Ricky looked at him like he was stupid and kept walking. I will never cheer for him again after that incident.
Scoot
Jul 22, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Prove it.
twshoot67
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:38 pm
I find this very hard to believe. I have like 50 pictures with Rickie when he played at the AT&T where he signed every autograph until there was no one left. He also stayed and took pics with anyone who asked. I call BS on you!
PS: Rickie actual took 1 individual pick with each of my 4 sons then took pics with group shots , then with me and reach one of my kids individually and then full family shot, he couldn’t be more accommodating. He went out of his way for each and every fan there, a lot more then I can say about many tour players. i’m 50 and have been to many events. Rickie is by far one of the nicest young men on the Tour. he knows how to treat the fans so again I call BS on this statement made by you about a young boy and rickie ignoring him or even making him feel neglected, He would never do that. heck even Rickie’s caddy is a great guy and took time to talk with me for a good 10 mins while Rickie went in to sign his score card only to come out and sign autographs for another 30-40 mins.
twshoot67
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:40 pm
If you want to see all the pics I have with Rickie Fowler and my boys just check my FB page. Rickie is all good by me… heck if the rest of the Tour was as nice as this young man the future of the tour would be perfect!
Josh
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I’ve never heard any personal attack against Rickie Fowler. Quite the opposite. Everything I have ever heard about him is how much people like him, and what a nice guy he is. This article is pretty ridiculous …
Justin
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:18 pm
When I was at the memorial this year during the pro am a little kid came up to him with the orange puma hat clothes…. he was basically the mini me of ricky and asked him for an autograph. Ricky looked at him like he was stupid and kept walking. After I saw that I will never cheer or support him again.
cmac
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Watched Rickie at Hoylake he had loads of support from the crowd I dont think he was disliked he handled himself very well and is a class act. Should only be a matter of time under stewardship of Butch Harmon before he lands a mayor
Kevin Casey
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:28 pm
I’m not saying that everyone hates Rickie personally. Heck, a vast majority of the fans love him. It’s just that with Rickie, there’s almost no in between, so there’s going to be a minority of people that hate him.
It’s just something I’ve noticed with golf that some people really dislike Rickie, hate him personally. You don’t have to go far on the Internet to find a number of people who dislike him in the way I stated. I also have a few friends of mine that watch golf and hate Rickie on this level.
As for the crowds at Hoylake, with any golf crowd at an event you don’t see the dislike there. After all, Tiger receives the most massive support from the galleries, and he might be hated by the most people in golf.
Mike Ulligan
Aug 6, 2014 at 7:55 pm
You don’t have to defend yourself on the “hate” issue. Fowler admits the hate exists on his own website. He obviously perceives it himself.
RobN
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:09 pm
If the reason people dislike him is because of a certain type of HAT he wears, I submit the person/people disliking him have bigger issues of their own to deal with. A hat certainly does not define a man.
Bdube
Jul 23, 2014 at 3:05 pm
AMEN!
Norma Stitz
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I didn’t realize people had ill feelings toward Mr. Fowler. My only issue is all the hyperbole about his talent and ability. From my perspective, I see a young man who has exactly 1 win in his career. The second place finishes here or there won’t mean squat when he tells his grandchildren what he did while on tour. Maybe the guy is the nicest guy out there and good for him, but wake me up when he accomplishes something besides orange clothes and near misses.
Kevin Casey
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:21 pm
That’s perfectly reasonable to me. I don’t care if someone criticized Rickie for his record on the course versus his talent. That’s totally fair game, even if it is a little overdone.
There’s definitely a sizable minority out there that outright hates Rickie Fowler. There was one guy a few years back who had his letter to the editor to Golf World published regarding Fowler’s place on the cover. He complained that Rickie’s place on the cover was “disgusting” and used other such insulting terms due to the fact that Fowler was on the cover with a backwards hat and his outrageous clothes. Kind of a disturbingly hostile letter toward a player just for the clothes he wears.
If you’re still reticent to believe in him as a super talent though, no issues there.
steve
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Wow boring article, with nothing learned here. How come no mention of the RickieFowler.com Tour bag he uses. He is a better then average tour player. Who is hating him? He knows how to promote himself. If your a Rickie Mo like alot of here, so be it. But have a original thought. He has had a very good showing at the Majors. Only Bubba, Martin and Rory did better. But if he is there on sunday at the PGA he better close the deal or it will be golf version of the Buffalo Bills. You think his year at the majors is “extraordinary”? I think when Tiger won 3 of 4 majors was extraordinary. He has impressed at the Majors, no doubt played great. Would you take Rickies year at the Majors or Bubba’s, Martins or Rory’s?
freed0m
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Very talented young man. GO RICKIE!
jjots
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:01 pm
I was not aware that golf fans “personally dislike” him. they may not cheer for him, but personal dislike is a strong statement to make.
Bubba
Jul 22, 2014 at 5:01 pm
He’s sponsored by Redbull,.. he makes golf look fun,… he sings with Bubba,… he’s working with Butch,… Everybody loves Rickie!
12aces
Jul 22, 2014 at 4:58 pm
I’d hate to be an acquaintance of yours
tbowles411
Jul 22, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Honestly, I didn’t know people disliked Rickie.
Blkjazz
Jul 22, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Maybe if he stopped wearing the horrible looking cap…
Sean
Jul 22, 2014 at 7:38 pm
I wasn’t aware there was so much dislike for Mr. Fowler. Personally I like the lad.