Rickie Fowler was considered one of the world's best young golfers when he turned pro, at age 20, in 2009. Playing in his first PGA Tour event, as a professional, he finished tied for 7th at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. A week later at the Frys.com Open, he did even better, finishing second in a playoff to Troy Matteson. It seemed he would claim victory on the Tour soon.
Now 23 years of age, with four second place finishes and 15 top 10's in 71 events played on the PGA Tour, he is still looking for his first career victory. With more than $6 million in official Tour earnings, and a current world ranking of #39, he certainly has had a great deal of success, but he has not found the winner's circle.
Struggling a bit in the 2012 season, Fowler changed to a cross-handed putting grip before the start of the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 26th. The results were impressive, as he finished that tournament in a tie for 10th, only his second top 10 finish of the year.
He has continued the new putting style at this week's Wells Fargo Championship, being played May 3-6, 2012, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. At 11-under par after three rounds, having posted scores of 66, 72 and 67, he is within three shots of the leader (Webb Simpson) heading into Sunday's final round.
Rickie Fowler will be paired with a four-time PGA Tour winner, Nick Watney, in Sunday's final round. With confidence in his new putting style, playing alongside a proven Tour winner, he may finally be able to lift his first PGA Tour winner's trophy at the end of the day.
Good Luck, Rickie.
Harold Andrews has played golf for nearly 50 years (competitively and recreationally) and considers Jack Nicklaus the greatest golfer of all time.
source:
pgatour.com
