Rickie Fowler, the defending champion at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, has candidly discussed the persistent putting issues that have plagued his performance on the PGA Tour.
The 35-year-old golfer revealed that a “twitch” in his right hand, which he described as a form of the “yips,” has significantly impacted his game over the past few years.
After securing his first Tour victory in over four years at this event last July, many expected Fowler to regain his top form. However, he has struggled to capitalize on that success, with inconsistent performances marking his year.
Reflecting on his challenges, Fowler admitted that his putting has been a major factor, explaining that the twitch has undermined his confidence in making accurate putts.
“I’ve dealt with a little bit of my right hand having a twitch at times, which you could call a ‘yip,’” Fowler explained to the Golf Channel.
“It makes it tough to trust hitting good putts. I was hitting putts that started on line, but speed was an issue.”
He further elaborated on reverting to a cross-handed grip, which he believes helps stabilize his hand and wrist, improving his touch and feel on the greens.
This honest self-assessment isn’t new for Fowler. Following a disappointing missed cut at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, he described his form as “terrible” and straightforwardly stated, “I’ve basically played terrible this year.”
Despite the challenges, Fowler’s perseverance is evident. At the recent Travelers Championship, he showed signs of improvement with a tied-20th finish, his best result of the season. At the Rocket Mortgage Classic, he demonstrated why he’s the reigning champion, starting strong with a bogey-free six-under-par 66. However, a level-par 72 in the second round left him seven shots behind the leaders.
As he continues to navigate his putting struggles, Fowler remains optimistic about turning his form around, emphasizing patience and ongoing effort as keys to regaining his competitive edge.
