Where does Rickie Fowler go now after failing to defend Rocket Mortgage title?

Rickie Fowler, known for his fan-favorite status and remarkable comeback last season, has faced a challenging 2024. Last season, he enjoyed a resurgence, capturing seven top-10 finishes and winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic. However, this season has been a different story. Fowler’s best finish was a tie for 18th at the RBC Heritage in April, and his recent performance at the Rocket Mortgage Classic saw him tied for 31st place, a far cry from his triumph last year.

Fowler started the Rocket Mortgage Classic strong with a 6-under par round of 66 but couldn’t maintain the momentum. His overall performance this season has been hampered by struggles with his putter. His putting average stands at 1.772, ranking him 116th on tour, a significant drop from his previous form. Before the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Fowler acknowledged his difficulties, stating, “You’re not seeing putts go in, and it kind of adds some extra stress to having to hit greens or hit it closer, chip it close, that circle gets quite a bit bigger once you see some go in.”

Additionally, Fowler’s birdie average has declined to 3.61 per round, placing him 129th, compared to 4.16 last season when he ranked 24th. Despite these struggles, Fowler is not scheduled to participate in this week’s John Deere Classic, opting instead to regroup and focus on upcoming opportunities.

Currently, Fowler ranks 93rd in the FedEx Cup standings. With the playoffs fast approaching, only the top 70 players will advance to the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August. Fowler’s next potential opportunity to turn his season around is at the Genesis Scottish Open. The pressure is on for Fowler to rediscover his form and secure his place among the elite players, proving once again that he can compete at the highest level.