Rickie Fowler was quick to hit back at a heckler in the crowd at the Cognizant Classic at PGA National on Saturday, after missing a putt at the par-four 16th.
Fowler finds himself in contention to win on the PGA Tour for the first time since July 2023, after carding a second-straight three-under-par 68 to leave him at 13-under for the week, three shots behind 54-hole leader Jake Knapp.
Despite enjoying a successful Saturday, as was not without controversy for the six-time winner, after he was forced to address a heckler in the crowd who called him out following a missed putt down the stretch.
Looking to make his sixth birdie of the day at the 16th, Fowler saw an effort from around 15 feet slide just past the cup, seemingly drawing a reaction from a member of the PGA National crowd. The 36-year-old was quick to bite back, replying: “Of course you know.”
Fowler’s frustrations were not done there though, as he went back for a second comment whilst lining up his putt for par, adding: “That’s why you’re in the stands,” in the direction of the fan in question. He eventually brushed the heckler off, tapping in for par, before making two more at the 17th and 18th.
He still has plenty of work to do if he is to get over the line on Sunday, with Fowler still three back, with a whole host of competition around him too. Speaking after his round on Saturday though, the former world No. 4 is hoping past experiences around the course can put him in a good position on Sunday.
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“I’ve played well a lot of times around here, and having won here, I know what I need to do. I’ve had a lot of good stuff the first two days, and good way to fight through it today. Yeah, looking forward to picking up where we were the first two days and playing well tomorrow and giving ourselves a chance.”
It would be a timely victory for Fowler, who failed to bank an invitation into next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational amid a tough run of form over the past year. He will miss out alongside Jordan Spieth, with the grandson of the great Palmer, Sam Saunders, explaining the decision earlier this week.
“What our team did was try to pick players that, you know, it’s about protecting and growing the game of golf as a whole. And doing what’s the most balanced and fair process,” Saunders told Golfweek. “Honestly, I think there was a lot of thought put into each and every player that was selected.
“At the end of the day, it’s who’s getting the ball in the hole the fastest that are the ones who get the opportunities. You can’t make everybody happy with exemptions. So you try to just do it as fair and balanced as possible
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