Rickie Fowler says being a dad to his daughter Maya is his “main job”

Rickie Fowler, the professional golfer, began dating athlete and model Allison Stokke in 2017, and the couple married in 2019 in a picturesque ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In 2021, their family expanded with the birth of their first child, a daughter named Maya. Despite being a public figure, Fowler tends to keep his personal life private, though his family made a rare appearance on the second season of Netflix’s Full Swing. This series documented Rickie’s triumphant victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in July 2023, his first win on the PGA Tour after a four-year drought. In a heartfelt moment, Fowler expressed his joy in sharing that victory with his family. “I’ve always wanted to win having Maya around,” he said, reflecting on how special it was to capture that moment with his wife and daughter by his side. “That will be a special one, and hopefully there will be plenty more, ones that she’ll remember.”

Fowler has spoken about how becoming a father has transformed his outlook on life. In an April 2024 episode of the PGA Tour Originals series Swing By with Jason Kennedy, he shared how parenthood has given him a new perspective. “It helps you realize there’s a lot bigger things in life than just the day-to-day grind,” he said. He emphasized that when his family is healthy and happy, that’s all that truly matters. This commitment to family is at the heart of Fowler’s life, and his love for his daughter Maya is evident in every aspect of his personal and professional journey.

The Announcement of Maya’s Arrival

Rickie and Allison announced their pregnancy in June 2021 with a joyful post on social media, sharing a photo from a beach shoot where Allison proudly displayed her baby bump. Rickie humorously captioned the post, “Reservation for November…Fowler party of 3,” while Allison quipped that Rickie might soon find himself outnumbered. Just before the 2021 Travelers Championship, Rickie opened up about the pregnancy, expressing their excitement. “We’ve been able to share it with friends and family a little earlier, and now everyone knows. It’s pretty cool and pretty special,” he shared with the PGA Tour. At the time, his focus was on making sure that both Allison and the baby were healthy.

Rickie’s Anticipation for Fatherhood

Before Maya’s birth, Rickie spoke often about how much he was looking forward to becoming a father. In his interviews, he referred to the experience of parenthood as “life-changing.” He made it clear that his daughter would take precedence over everything else. “Everything else will take a backseat,” he said. “I’m looking forward to trying to manage everything, keep things as efficient as possible, and being able to spread my time between her, family, and golf as well.”

Maya was born in November 2021, a moment that Rickie and Allison shared with the world through another social media post, just in time for Thanksgiving. In their first family photo, Rickie held newborn Maya in his arms, standing proudly beside Allison. “As you can see, Allison & I are beyond thankful…a whole new meaning to life!!” Rickie wrote, expressing his overflowing gratitude.

Maya’s Role in Her Dad’s Life and Career

Since Maya’s birth, she has been a constant presence in Rickie’s life, even joining him on the golf course. One of the most heartwarming moments occurred at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in July 2023. During the tournament, Maya ran toward Rickie as he was preparing for a shot, asking to be picked up. When Rickie tried to hand her off to his caddie, Maya refused, leading him to carry her to Allison. The father-daughter bond was on full display, with fans and cameras capturing the tender interaction.

At the U.S. Open in June 2023, Allison shared more touching photos of their time on the course, including a shot of Rickie lifting Maya into the air and another of her holding one of his golf clubs. Maya has become a part of Rickie’s golfing world, showing her support for her dad as he competes. The father-daughter duo shared another special moment at the Rocket Mortgage Classic when Maya celebrated with Rickie after his win.

Hopes for Maya’s Future

Although Maya is still a toddler, Rickie has hinted at his dreams for her future. At various events, spectators noticed an American Junior Golf Association tag hanging from his golf bag, a signal typically used to inform college coaches of a player’s graduation year. The tag on Rickie’s bag read, “Maya Fowler 2040,” a subtle nod to the possibility of Maya following in her father’s athletic footsteps.

Being a “Girl Dad”

Rickie has openly embraced his role as a father, often referring to it as his “main job.” During his conversation with Jason Kennedy, Rickie shared how fatherhood has deepened his connection with both his wife and daughter. “Obviously, continuing to build a relationship with your wife, but being a dad as well,” he said. Rickie described the joy he feels every time Maya lights up when she sees him or Allison, underscoring how much being a father means to him.

He also reflected on the unique bond he shares with his daughter. “Being a girl dad is very special,” he said, noting that while he has friends with boys and his sister has twin boys, there’s something distinct about the connection with a daughter. “There’s something with a little girl that just pulls a little harder at you,” he admitted, showing his soft spot for Maya.

Rickie Fowler’s journey as a father has clearly shaped his life in profound ways. Whether he’s on the golf course or at home, Maya is at the center of everything he does. As Rickie continues his career, it’s clear that his most important role is that of a devoted husband and father.