The Murrieta, California resident is establishing himself on the PGA Tour and expects to add to his victory total.
By JIM DOVER
Rickie Fowler is poised to defend his first PGA Tour victory this month at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte,
North Carolina.
Last year, all of the critics were silenced when Fowler rolled in a birdie putt on the first extra hole (No. 18) to
defeat 2010 event champion Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points to gain his long-awaited first PGA Tour victory. While it
was only Fowler’s third year on Tour, the expectations for the orange-clad Murrieta, California native were huge,
and that win allowed not only Fowler – but the entire golf community — to breathe a sigh of relief.
One year later, it seems that Fowler is poised for a second win — if not a multiple-winseason –and if you ask him, it
just might happen again back at Quail Hollow at the Wells Fargo Championship May 2-5.
“I’ve always played wellthere,” said Fowler during an exclusive conversation right mbefore the Masters. “I’ve had a
great finish every time I’ve played there (6th in 2010, T16 in 2011) and of course the win last year.”
Fowler is off to a great 2013 season with several top-ten finishes and a mature outlook that belies his 24 years.
Q: You’ve had a great start
this year. How would you
assess your results so far?
Rickie Fowler: I was coming
off a little bit of a hurt back last
year and I had to rehab for that. So I’m
really pleased so far with my game and
I look forward to each week out there.
Q: Do you set goals for the season
and if so, are you on track for some
of those?
Fowler: I really want to get a second
win and also have a multiple-win season.
I also want to really focus on preparing
for the majors and being in contention.
I’ve had some decent finishes
over at the British Open, but I want to
really have better results for the rest of
the major championships.
Q: Do you adjust your goals during
the season depending on your play?
Fowler: I definitely know that going
into the season, setting goals is something
that you want to be very realistic
about. There are times when
you can reassess either a couple
months in or midway through the
season. Health always plays a big
hand in that as well. But if you go
out and win a few early, there goes
your multiple-win season. Goals
are one thing but being out there
on Tour every week is already a
great honor and we’re all out here
to win golf tournaments.
Q: You really seem to handle
your sponsorship responsibilities
with great ease?
Fowler: I definitely have some
great partners and I’ve been put
in a position to really choose the
brands I want to be associated with
and make it a great fit for both of
us. I think it makes the relationships
a lot easier when you enjoy
working with the company and the
people surrounding you. I knew
coming in that shooting commercials,
sponsor days and everything
else to support a brand was part
of it and I just love what I get to do for
a living and it’s what I thought about
since I was a little kid.
Q: Your sponsorship partnerships
also go hand-in-hand with your social
media skills. Does that seem like part
of the business or do you really enjoy
that?
Fowler: Social media has really
opened the door for athletes and celebrities
to really show fans what happens
outside the ropes, so to speak. It lets us
show behind the scenes as well as the
normal life we lead as well. Also you
can control the content. It’s definitely a
great tool if you use it correctly.
Q: Do you get nervous when you
really put yourself out there, for
instance with the Golf Boys 2.0 video,
that fans won’t respond the way you
hope?
Fowler: Yeah, whenever you send
something out, you hope that the
responses are supportive. We have over
3 million views for the latest Golf Boys
and all of that goes to charity. But
you’re always going to get some negative
comments as well, so you have to
be prepared for that. I have plenty of
haters on Twitter and Instagram, but
that’s not going to change who I am
and how I go about my day if one person
doesn’t like me. I have plenty of
other fans.
Q: Well, you certainly put yourself
out there with the Golf Boys?
Fowler: Yeah, I don’t think we left too much in the tank for
that one.
Q: What was the excitement level like for your third
Masters appearance?
Fowler: I’m really excited to get back out there. I’m flying
out with Bubba (Watson) to play a few rounds before the
tournament. I feel like I’m really ready to have a good Masters
showing. This year, I feel a lot more comfortable going to
Augusta and I know the golf course better and I like where my
game’s at.
Q: In a big event like that, is it more mental preparation
than specific shots you practice?
Fowler: I definitely do think a lot of it is mental and it’s different
than any other major because you’re playing the same
course.
Q: Outside of Augusta what are some of the other tournaments
you’re looking forward to playing this year?
Fowler: I would have to quickly put the other three majors
in there. I’m really looking forward to getting back to Quail
Hollow where I won last year. And I always look forward to the
Players; it’s like the fifth major. And also Colonial, where I’m
partners with (sponsor) Crowne Plaza and then probably the
Memorial for Jack’s (Nicklaus) tournament.
Q: Have you thought about what it’s going to feel like
going back as the defending champion at the Wells Fargo?
Fowler: Well I guess I can’t think about it too much,
because it’s not a position I’ve ever been in before. Charlotte is
a place that I really like going, it’s a very cool area with great
fans. I’m just really looking forward to playing, because I tend
to have great results.
Q: We still look at you like one of the young guys, but
the way the rookies are playing, do you feel like one of the
veterans out there?
Fowler: A little bit. This is my fourth year now and I am
just so much more comfortable week to week. I know my way
around each city and I have been able to help out some of the
rookies a little bit regarding where to stay or eat in a given
city. I’m a very young veteran though. I played Doral with
Matteo Manassero and I think I have him by about four years.
It’s fun seeing the new guys play so well.
Q: We know that Tom Watson has changed the Ryder
Cup qualifying to nine automatic spots and three captain’s
picks. Do you like that change as a player?
Fowler: I don’t think it alters it too much. If guys are playing
well, then they’ll make it automatically or be one of the
picks. I think three picks is plenty, because I know when I
played the Walker Cup (2007), there were only two picks.
Q: How often do you get to return to Oklahoma State?
Fowler: I definitely wear the orange on Sunday and the OSU
head cover every week so that I can help keep recruiting for
the school. I try to get back to Stillwater as much as I can and
l think last year I got back three times. It’s a place that I really
enjoy and I get back as much as I can.
Q: Do you think down the road and ask yourself where
you want to be 10 or 15 years from now?
Fowler: I try not to think too far down the line. I know my
agent thinks about that type of timeline and that’s OK for him.
I try to focus year-to-year and reassess at the end of the season.
I’m not sure where things will be in five years. I just have
to focus on being the best player I can be and being a good
role model for younger golfers.
