The Ryder Cup 2023 awaits when the famous trophy is at stake at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome at the end of September. For Rickie Fowler, it will already be the fifth participation in the prestigious tournament. After going winless for 1610 days on the PGA Tour, Fowler triumphed at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit in July. This victory put him in the sights of U.S. captain Zach Johnson for the first time, who, after further good performances, eventually nominated him as one of the “captain’s picks” for the U.S. team at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Rickie Fowler at the Ryder Cup 2023
Thanks to his victory in Detroit, the 34-year-old will be a member of a Ryder Cup team for the first time in five years. “This participation is really special,” Fowler said after being selected as one of Zach Johnson‘s six captain’s picks. “Fortunately, when I got the call from Zach, he told me the good news, and it was definitely emotional because it’s been a great year after the last few years. I knew it was going to be very difficult to be in that position, so to get that call and be a part of this team is amazing.”
ICYMI: That’s FIVE @RyderCups now for @RickieFowler pic.twitter.com/A5esMGC2k9
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) August 29, 2023
Fowler with terrific comeback in Ryder Cup year
In 2019, Fowler, who had previously been one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour for years and had consistently ranked in the top-10 of the world golf rankings, hit a slump. Fowler slipped further and further down the world rankings. In 2021, the likeable American missed the Masters and the US Open for the first time since 2010. The former star player was also left out of the Ryder Cup. Fowler was not present when the USA defeated the Europeans 19:9 at Whistling Straits. It was the second time since 2008 that he failed to make the U.S. team. In 2022, he finally reached a career low of 185th in the world rankings. As a result, the now 34-year-old made some changes.
He parted ways with his caddie Joe Skovron after 13 years and replaced him with Ricky Romano. He also decided to return to his old swing coach Butch Harmon. The changes quickly took effect. Entering 2023, Fowler posted a string of top-20 finishes before heading into the US Open with top-10 finishes at the Colonial and the Memorial. Fowler received an exemption to the third major of the year because of his ranking in the world rankings – and on the first day, he shot a 62, the best round in US Open history. He led after the first three rounds and finished the tournament in a tie for fifth place. His best major result since finishing second at the 2018 Masters, Fowler continued to play well the following week at the Travelers Championship, finishing in a tie for 13th place. He finally picked up a long-awaited victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic the following week. The six-time Tour winner finished the season in 16th place in the FedExCup standings, his best finish since 2017.
Lots of experience for the US Team at the Ryder Cup 2023
Fowler will be competing in his fifth Ryder Cup, making him one of the most experienced members of the U.S. team alongside Jordan Spieth. At just 21 years old, Rickie Fowler made his Ryder Cup debut back in 2010. On the grounds of Celtic Manor, he was the first PGA Tour rookie to compete in the Ryder Cup and impressed with an impressive recovery in his singles match against Edoardo Molinari. Other appearances followed in 2014, 2016 and 2018, and the last time Fowler was on the Ryder Cup stage was at Le Golf National in France in 2018. One of the best-known and most popular players, Fowler participated in the biennial competition for the then fourth time. The Americans lost 17.5-10.5 and tough years began for Fowler on the PGA Tour. Because of a great comeback season, Zach Johnson nominated Fowler for the 2023 Ryder Cup. “It’s been a great 2023,” Johnson said. “Obviously that win (at the Rocket Mortgage Classic), a very good US Open in LA, basically consistently good performances throughout the season. The stats have shown that. He’s also extremely flexible in terms of pairings. Those who know him, or at least have been around him, know that he makes every team better. That’s Rick.” Now, 13 years after making his debut on the Ryder Cup stage as a rookie with the famous ‘wispy’ hairdo, Fowler will try to lead the U.S. team to its first victory on foreign soil in 30 years. And given all he’s been through in recent years, the 2023 Ryder Cup could be Fowler’s most momentous.
Whats inside Rickie Fowler’s bag at the 2023 Ryder Cup
To match his Puma outfit, the newly crowned PGA Tour winner is equipped with the latest woods from Cobra. The Aerojet LS driver is joined by the 3-wood from the same series. The LS variants are characterized by a particularly low spin and thus generate even more length from the tee. At around 290 meters, Rickie Fowler makes full use of this additional length in the tournament. When it comes to irons, he relies on the Cobra King Tour. Unlike the CB/MB irons, the Player irons are not forged from a single piece but have an aluminum insert. This makes them a bit more forgiving while still generating plenty of spin. The Cobra King wedges in Rickie Fowler’s bag are designed for maximum variability and are said to develop extra spin and control around the green with their specially designed grooves.