Rickie Fowler secured his first PGA Tour title in four years by winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit in a thrilling three-way play-off on Sunday.
After completing 72 holes, Fowler, Adam Hadwin, and Collin Morikawa all finished tied at 24 under par. However, it was Fowler who emerged victorious, sinking a birdie putt at the first play-off hole while his opponents failed to match his score.
Expressing his emotions, Fowler said, “It’s difficult to put it all into words. I knew it was only a matter of time given how well I’ve been playing. I’ve had a couple of challenging weekends when I had the chance, but couldn’t make it happen.”
Fowler, who had fallen to 185th in the world rankings last year, experienced a resurgence this season, recording nine top-20 finishes in his last 10 events. He had previously won the 2017 Players Championship.
In the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Fowler held a one-shot lead at 20 under par. Both Hadwin, aged 35, and Morikawa, aged 26, pushed him to the limit, with Morikawa delivering an impressive eight-under 64.
Morikawa, starting the day four strokes behind Fowler and three behind Hadwin, mounted a strong challenge by carding seven birdies in his first 14 holes.
Fowler needed a birdie on the 18th hole to secure a spot in the play-off, and he delivered under pressure. As the play-off began, Fowler faced a challenging tee shot, but a remarkable recovery shot from the rough followed by a smooth putt secured another birdie and sealed his victory.
Aaron Rai, the 28-year-old English golfer, was in contention after three rounds but finished joint-ninth on 18 under par after scoring 71 in the final round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PGA Tour victory
Q: When was Rickie Fowler’s last PGA Tour victory before the Rocket Mortgage Classic?
A: Rickie Fowler’s last PGA Tour victory came at the Phoenix Open in 2019.
Q: How did Rickie Fowler secure his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic?
A: Rickie Fowler secured his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic by winning a three-way play-off. He sank a birdie putt at the first play-off hole, while his opponents failed to match his score.
Q: How did Rickie Fowler feel about his victory?
A: After his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Rickie Fowler expressed his emotions, saying, “It’s hard to put it all into words. I knew it was a matter of time with how I’ve been playing.”
Q: How did Rickie Fowler’s form improve this season?
A: Rickie Fowler’s form improved this season with nine top-20 finishes in his past 10 events. He had fallen to 185th in the world rankings last year but experienced a resurgence in his performance.
Q: Who were the other players involved in the play-off at the Rocket Mortgage Classic?
A: Adam Hadwin and Collin Morikawa were the other players involved in the play-off at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Rickie Fowler emerged as the winner, surpassing both of them with a birdie putt.
More about PGA Tour victory
- Rickie Fowler’s PGA Tour Profile
- Rocket Mortgage Classic Official Website
- Phoenix Open Official Website
- Collin Morikawa’s PGA Tour Profile
- Adam Hadwin’s PGA Tour Profile
5 comments
fowler’s form has been unreal lately – 9 top-20 finishes in the last 10 events! he’s really turned his game around. can’t wait to see what he does next.
wow rickie fowler finally got his first pga tour win in 4 years! it’s been a long time coming. great job rickie. #champion
man, what a thrilling finish at the rocket mortgage classic! fowler, morikawa, and hadwin all tied, and fowler comes out on top. that’s golf for ya – anything can happen!
rickie fowler’s been playin’ so good lately, it was only a matter of time before he got a win. that birdie putt in the playoff was clutch! congrats, rickie!
the rocket mortgage classic was intense! fowler, hadwin, and morikawa put on quite a show. congrats to fowler on his well-deserved victory. can’t wait for the next tournament!