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| Rickie Fowler (Breikss) |
WEARING HIS TRADEMARK ORANGE, RICKIE FOWLER always glows on Sunday. Every day, for that matter, since Puma dresses him in a variety of neon threads. But yesterday in Charlotte, North Carolina, young Fowler shined even brighter after picking up his first PGA Tour victory at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.
The Oklahoma State star (that’s why he wears orange on Sundays) birdied the first hole of a sudden-death playoff with top-ranked Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points. The maiden win was a long time coming. Well, it seemed that way.
“I definitely knew I was good enough,” Fowler said, “and it was just getting everything to come together and stay patient.” Rickie also mentioned that he was glad to silence the doubters “a little bit.”
Fowler is only 23. But in PGA Tour-hype years, he’s got to be 28, maybe 29. The kid has been a next big thing ever since he turned pro two and a half years ago. That’s a long time in this media age. In the olden days, they didn’t give you the money, the endorsements, the fancy slacks and the cat on your hat until you actually won something. Today, if you’re super talented and marketable, you get it all up front. Ca-ching.
The pressure follows—and grows—until you prove yourself with W’s. Rickie was surely feeling it, and perhaps hearing a few whispers. When will the kid with the flashy game and clothes win?
Sunday, May 6, 2012. That’s when.
Fowler did it in style. He struck that wedge right at the stick on 18 and sank the 4-footer to claim the title. He beat Rory. Not a bad way to break through.
They must be thrilled in Ponte Vedra. Perhaps heard around PGA Tour headquarters this morning:
“Knock, knock.”
“Who’s there?”
“Orange.”
“Orange who?”
“Orange you glad Rickie Fowler finally got his first PGA Tour win?”