Connect with us

19th Hole

Rickie Fowler’s U.S. Open qualifying bid agonizingly crushed on final hole…but all may not be lost

Published

on

For the second year in succession, Rickie Fowler will likely not be teeing it up at the U.S. Open, which takes place next week at The Country Club in Brookline.

Monday began with Rickie Fowler’s name in the headlines, albeit not for his appearance at the U.S Open qualifying event in Jupiter, Florida.

Early in the day, Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner broke the news that Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler would both be joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series. Sure enough, soon after, Mickelson officially announced his participation in the opening event to take place this week in London.

With the golf world waiting on Fowler’s status, the 33-year-old set about qualifying for the year’s third major, getting off to a disastrous start.

With just four spots up for grabs in Jupiter, Fowler almost played himself out of contention early on, playing the opening four holes in three over par. The Californian then rallied on his back nine with four birdies before carding a double on his last hole to sign for an opening round of 2-over. 

Needing something special in his second round, Fowler gave himself hope, getting to 3-under for his round through 12 holes. A bogey on 13 looked to put pay to his chances before late rallying birdies on 16 and 17 meant that a birdie on his final hole would take him into a playoff against amateur Fred Biondi to determine who would take their spot in next week’s event.

Fowler looked set to complete the fine comeback, with 8 feet for birdie separating himself from the playoff. Unfortunately, what happened next was not in the script, with Fowler lipping out the putt to seemingly end his U.S. Open qualifying hopes.

Ironically, it would be the second major of the year that Rickie has missed out on playing thanks to a lip out after a missed par putt on the 72nd hole at last year’s PGA Championship caught a piece of the hole but refused to drop to cost him a place in this year’s Masters tournament.

Following his final round on Monday, Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner spoke to Fowler, who rued his opening round but stated that he was encouraged with the way he performed during the final round.

Fowler revealed to Lavner that he was looking forward to taking some time off following an appearance at his sponsor’s Puma HQ on Tuesday and that his stance has still not changed on the “intriguing” LIV Golf option.

In a late twist, however, Fowler arrived back at the course on Tuesday morning in a bid to grab an alternate spot in next week’s field.

With two of the contenders not bothering to turn up, Fowler had a couple of men to beat in Steve Marino and Tom Lewis, and he did just that with a birdie on the fourth extra hole, to take first alternate spot.

Maybe we will still see Rickie at Brookline next week!

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 29
  • LEGIT9
  • WOW2
  • LOL2
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK7

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

Published

on

While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 2
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW0
  • LOL1
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK3

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

Published

on

While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 3
  • LEGIT3
  • WOW1
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK3

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career

Published

on

While speaking with KW Golf, golf legend Gary Player said that he believes swing coaches ruined the career of Tiger Woods.

“The US Open at Pebble Beach, he won by 15 shots. You know what that’s like? It’s like running the 100 meters in seven seconds. The next week, he’s having a lesson from a man who, I don’t think, if he played in the Masters, could break 80.”

“And then he goes to another guy who couldn’t probably break 85 in the Masters with the pressure, or the British Open or the PGA on the final day. And he’s having lessons from them.”

“Why did Tiger do that? He was so good, but I understand he wanted to get better,” Player went on. “If he had just gone along and never changed, he would have won at least 22.. He would’ve gone down as the greatest athlete the world has ever seen.”

In 2008, Woods had won 14 majors and was 33 years old. It would take him eleven years to win his 15th at the 2019 Masters.

In addition to the swing coach issue, there are many other issues throughout the career of Woods that golf fans will look back on and wonder “what if.”

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 41
  • LEGIT9
  • WOW4
  • LOL6
  • IDHT2
  • FLOP1
  • OB2
  • SHANK32

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending