19th Hole

Nick Faldo responds to claim that Rickie Fowler’s recent form is down to his retirement

Published

3 years ago

Feb 14, 2023

We’ve got so used to young golfers appearing straight out of college to become the class of 2020-whatever, that seeing the resurgence of players such as recent Pebble Beach winner Justin Rose, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler becomes more of a surprise.

Related: Billy Horschel hits back at heckler with devilish response at WM Phoenix Open

The more consistent Englishman’s rise was a touch more logical than the recovery by the Aussie, now just outside the world top-50 after a run of form since September that has lifted him over 100 places, whilst Fowler was, for some, almost a gimme to go to LIV Golf, halfway through 2022.

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In Fowler’s darkest times, he faced some harsh criticism from golf commentators, with Sir Nick Faldo particularly brutal.

In early 2021, the then 33-year-old heard the 65-year-old have a dig at his commercial activities, saying Fowler could shoot another six ads if he were to miss that year’s Masters, whilst later the same year, the six-time major champion took a sidewards swipe at Fowler’s continual use of Oklahoma orange for his Sunday best.

However, despite the retired commentator’s jibes, Fowler has never given up on getting towards the top-10 once again.

He split with his swing coach and ditched caddy Joe Skovron, and now with Butch Harmon has seen his results improve, making six cuts from his last seven starts since the Fortinet in September.

Fowler held every chance when beaten a shot into second at the Zozo Championship, before going on a run that includes 11th at Torrey Pines and a top-10 at TPC Scottsdale last weekend.

The improvement from 160th to 80th on the rankings should be clear – hard work, renewed enthusiasm from his team, and changes via Harmon. But one Twitter user found another possible reason.

@724pine asked a simple question, ” Do you think @NickFaldo006 retiring and not getting into Ricky Folwler’s head has anything to do with Ricky’s improved play?”

Faldo was quick to take the hint:

Oh, it’s his excellent swing change/rebuild confidence booster! ???????#Commitment https://t.co/58Yvw8iE0p

— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) February 12, 2023

Replies also included one from DPWT player Eddie Pepperell who, for once, wasn’t joking around when suggesting the changes in technique result in a change in mindset, and allow an already-talented player to reach former, or new, heights.

It makes me chuckle when people assume a players’ downturn in form is wholly psychological. They completely forget the role of technique. Golf, after all, is massively based on skill.. ergo, technique. Improve that and then watch the mind take a player to a higher level.

— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 13, 2023

Rather like his friend, Day has also seen a resurgence in form lately, more than halving his September ranking of 164 after a run of eight cuts from nine events, including three top-10s and three further top-20 finishes.

There is something in the air, and it could be the Class of 2015.

How much each player won at the 2026 Masters

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.

With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.

For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.

1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
T9: Max Homa, $630,00
11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
T12: Jason Day, $427,500
T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
T30: Harris English, $146,250
T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300

19th Hole

CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.

There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.

Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:

This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V

— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026

It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.

19th Hole

The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances

Published

1 month ago

Apr 7, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.

Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.

Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:

“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”

The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:

“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”

That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”