There’s a simple rule in golf: If you want to light up the stage, you’d better bring the heat and keep it lit. Recently, fans and critics have been busy dissecting Scottie Scheffler’s performance in comparison to his stellar 2024 season. Joining in on the criticism of his less-than-impressive season is none other than World No. 97 Rickie Fowler. However, Fowler’s critics are not just focusing on his on-course actions; they are mostly targeting his off-course behavior.
We will soon return to TPC Sawgrass on March 13, the same course where Rickie Fowler secured his first major win back in 2015 for the same event: THE PLAYERS Championship. He was 26 at the time, and the golf world hoped for the best from the former World No. 1 amateur golfer. His last win came back in 2023, tied at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Unfortunately, not much has happened since then. He was even denied exemption for this year’s API!
Despite that, he remained in the news. That’s why the 36-year-old golfer became the subject of a recent conversation between Randy and Kevin Van Valkenburg on the No Laying Up podcast. Randy claimed that he never believed Rickie Fowler was “ever a bit.” Ouch! He continued by saying that while he believed there were moments when Fowler raised hopes, nothing came of them.
“I need to see something before you give me all the commercials before you give me the orange outfits. I, I, I just need a little bit of substance if you expect me to go on this ride with you.” Valkenburg added, “We have joked for years that Ricky is the manifestation of late-stage capitalism.”
“Man, I just think it’s I, I just think it’s, it’s it’s moving merchandise, it’s pushing product, it’s being in countless commercials,” Randy added. So what was the product Fowler was trying to sell? Himself!
Take a look at the orange outfit that keeps Fowler in the news. Tiger Woods wears red on Sundays, and Fowler does the same for his Sunday rounds. It’s a nod to Fowler’s days at Oklahoma State University. “But nobody really does it on Tour. I like to think of it as my own personal style,” the golfer said about his choice. It’s even a hit among his fans! However, Randy finds it “cringe.” “I’d be embarrassed. I, I’m… it’s cringe.”
Despite his harsh comments, he isn’t wrong. Rickie Fowler has attracted noticeable attention due to his performances, but most of his popularity comes from his endorsements. For example, the golfer has starred in commercials for Cobra Golf, Puma, Rocket Mortgage, Corona Premier, and more! There seems to be no end to it. Undoubtedly, all of this has made him a prominent figure in the sport.
And the criticism doesn’t seem to end! “Not again, because what’s underneath there? What are we, what’s the fandom for? I’ve never understood that. Is he a dynamic personality on the golf course? No, I don’t believe so.” Despite this, Fowler is known for his laid-back Californian attitude, eye-catching outfits, and positive interactions with fans. Undoubtedly, staying in front of the camera helps. Fans want relatability, and Fowler provides that. Here’s a look at it.
Rickie Fowler and the brand that he is
We can all sit down and wonder what exactly draws the fans in. Is it his 5 PGA Tour wins? His willingness to interact with fans? His looks—well, that certainly adds to his charm. But we can’t pinpoint it exactly. Reflecting on this in 2023, the golfer said he believes everyone relates to his struggles. “I sure hope everyone can relate to struggles because everyone deals with them. No one’s perfect. I think you’d be lying if you haven’t been through a tough time, especially if you play golf.
The thing is, it makes sense, especially because Fowler has been facing tough times in golf for a long while. Think about it: his victory at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in 2019 seemed like a relief from the drought, but it was short-lived. Over the next four years, his form deteriorated so much that he fell out of the Top 100 in the OWGR. Following his 2023, he has only had one Top 10!
Talking about his popularity, he said he doesn’t believe there’s an exact answer. “I feel like I’ve always been myself.” He added, “I don’t try and do anything different or be anyone else,” he said. “I sure hope I come off as genuine. I feel like I’m just me being myself out here and love what I get to do.” Maybe that’s the answer.
Despite his performances, he is a brand. In this season alone, he signed a deal with Ernst & Young to wear their logo on his chest, replacing Grant Thornton. Additionally, he switched from TaylorMade’s TP5x ball to the 2023 Titleist Pro V1. He also had a deal with Mercedes-Benz that expired in May 2024. On top of that, Fowler is also known for his charity work. Along with supporting his foundation, he has supported the First Tee and Special Olympics. That adds to the charm.
In the latest, he will be playing on TPC Sawgrass. Do you think he will make the win?
The post Rickie Fowler’s Reputation Questioned as ‘Cringe’ Orange Outfit Continues to Draw Fans Amid 618 Winless Days appeared first on EssentiallySports.