Rickie Fowler may have finished T16 last season, but heading into the Shriners Children’s Open this fall, he finds himself in unfamiliar territory: 111th on the FedEx Cup standings. With the PGA Tour’s new rules requiring only a top-125 finish to qualify for next season, Fowler admitted it’s been “a little hard to adapt.” Reflecting on the evolving FedEx Cup system, he noted, “It’s had a few changes over the last few years, and it’s going to continue to change…where it might be currently could be something that will change in the coming years.” But instead of obsessing over the numbers, Fowler’s keeping it simple. “Really, at the end of the day, you play good golf, and all things kind of fall into place,” he said, focusing on what he calls the real key to success.
After his 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic win, Fowler already secured his exemption for the 2024 season. But a win this fall would bring him a coveted spot in the 2025 PLAYERS Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and Memorial Tournament—events he wants to add back into his calendar. “Making sure that I stay inside the top 125…And being that I won last year, not necessarily having to worry too much,” he explained. Still, the extra layer of calculation can be a headache, he admitted: “I think trying to get too caught up in the numbers…you can get lost in that. Go play good golf, and the rest will take care of itself.”
After a rough 2024 season, Fowler’s calm, straightforward approach seems fitting. Over 21 events, he missed six cuts and saw just three top-25 finishes—a far cry from 2023, where he teed off in 26 events, missed only two cuts, and pocketed over $7.8 million thanks to eight top-10 finishes and one win. The contrast has left many wondering: Can Fowler bounce back? Or is his prime behind him?
His fans certainly hope he’ll recapture the form he showed just a year ago. And Fowler, with his sights set on a fall season comeback, seems ready to prove that a little faith in the game—and maybe less focus on the math—could bring him back into the top ranks.
