Thursday, November 25, 2010

Rickie Fowler: Golf's Fresh Prince

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A day before Rickie Fowler's opening round 6-under par 66 Thursday in the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney World, kids lined up, waiting for the PGA Tour rookie to walk past on his way to the driving range, ready to thrust assorted items -- golf balls, programs, caps -- in his direction, hoping for an autograph. Some, a bit more bold, voiced requests for him to stop for pictures.

Fowler was accommodating. The 21-year-old stopped, signed, posed and even chatted. The youngsters all but swooned, many of the boys sporting the Fowler look: shaggy hair and over-sized, bucket-like cap turned backward.

Then Fowler did the darnedest thing: He thanked each of the young followers for their interest and support.

The former junior motocross racer with a home-grown golf swing, wacky wardrobe and bad need of a haircut may be a square peg in the round hole that is the PGA Tour, but whatever "it'' is, Fowler has it by the truckload.

"It's pretty cool," Fowler said Thursday, recalling previous day's practice range scene. "I definitely like to have fans. I like to have an influence on other people, and definitely like to draw new fans in.

"I guess I have more of a draw to the younger crowd. And it's always cool to see more and more kids showing up and getting their interest in golf up."

His impact has been sudden. A year ago Fowler wasn't even a member of the PGA Tour. Now he has earned more than $2.6 million on the strength of two runner-up finishes and six top-10s. He became the first rookie to ever play on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and responded with stellar play.


"Obviously, looking back a year ago from where I came from to where I am now, it's pretty cool," he said.

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/11/11/rickie-fowler-golfs-fresh-prince/

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