Unraveling Ricky Fowler

Rickie Fowler will never forget his first full point in the Ryder Cup.

- Robin Barwick

Surprising statistic leading in to the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, Minnesota, was that in Fowler’s two previous appearances – in 2010 at Celtic Manor and 2014 at Gleneagles - he had played a total of eight matches, winning nil points outright, losing three and halving five. But don’t forget, that was a gritty, hard-earned set of five halves won against strong European tides.

Continues Fowler: “There was a lot of pressure on both of us that day, going up against a strong European pairing in Rory [McIlroy] and ‘Sully’ [Andy Sullivan].

“We were down early in that match,” recalls Fowler, “then got it back at the end of the front nine, then we were down again – two holes down with four to play – but we won three holes straight to go to the last hole 1-up and we managed to hold on there. It certainly felt like we dodged a couple of bullets. It was just a battle. Phil and I didn’t particularly play great but in a match like that it is a case of just hanging in there and figuring out a way to beat the other guys.

“To get the point was very rewarding and it was really cool to achieve that playing alongside someone I have always looked up to.”

Fowler had a point to prove at Hazeltine. Not only was his past Ryder Cup record winless but also he did not qualify for one of the eight automatic spots on the American team. Fowler’s form over the summer was decent - but no better - as he hoped to convince Davis Love to pick him.

“We found no weaknesses in [Rickie’s] game,” said Love of the decision. “He's really confident on the big stage as we've seen in the Olympics, he travels well and brings a lot of intangibles to our team. He’s going to make a great teammate.”