Rickie Fowler Returns To Butch Harmon After Splitting With Coach
The American is back with Butch Harmon as he continues his quest to return to the world's top tier

Rickie Fowler will return to work with the legendary Butch Harmon after parting ways with his coach John Tillery.
Having split from his long-time caddie Joe Skovron last month, the 33-year-old’s bid to regain the form that made him a fan favourite and ranked as high as No.4 in the world has led to a change of coach too, having ‘never really clicked’ with Tillery. “I couldn’t love the guy any more, and we gave it a good run but it was almost like speaking another language in a way and it never really clicked,” Fowler told Golfweek.
“He’s had plenty of success with his guys and I wish I would have played significantly better. I’ll take a lot out of the time we spent together. It’s not like the last few years were for nothing. I gained a lot of knowledge and I feel like I’m in a very good spot.”
Tillery has worked with Kevin Kisner, Sepp Straka and Hudson Swafford, but couldn’t help Fowler rediscover his best form. He told ESPN: “Man, I love the guy. This job will punch you in the gut sometimes. As a coach, there's nothing better than watching your guys succeed, and nothing worse than watching them struggle. The X's and O's of what they need to do is the easy part, but getting it done can be a challenge sometimes, and we didn't get it done. I'm pulling for him and wish him nothing but the best."
Fowler plans to spend more time with his former coach Harmon. They have always kept in touch, and the 33-year-old last visited the veteran coach before the CJ Cup, where he finished T3rd, his only top-10 of the season. Now 79, Harmon does not travel much but Fowler has committed to spending more time visiting and taking it from there. “I’m planning to have more communication with him this fall, but not committing or going anywhere outside of that right now,” Fowler told Golfweek.
In 2014, Fowler became just the third player - after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods - to finish in the top-5 of all four Majors in a calendar year, but his form has fallen off a cliff of late. Without a win since 2019, he missed eight of 22 cuts last season and only qualified for one Major, finishing T23rd in the PGA Championship. He was the 125th and last qualifier for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, only making it in after the LIV Golf players were removed from the list.
Fowler and Skovron went their separate ways before the FedEx Cup Playoffs. They had been together since the then number one ranked amateur golfer turned professional in 2009. Ricky Romano will be on the bag next week as Fowler starts the new PGA Tour season at the Fortinet Championship in California.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Jeff graduated from Leeds University in Business Studies and Media in 1996 and did a post grad in journalism at Sheffield College in 1997. His first jobs were on Slam Dunk (basketball) and Football Monthly magazines, and he's worked for the Sunday Times, Press Association and ESPN. He has faced golfing greats Sam Torrance and Sergio Garcia, but on the poker felt rather than the golf course. Jeff's favourite course played is Sandy Lane in Barbados, which went far better than when he played Matfen Hall in Northumberland, where he crashed the buggy on the way to the 1st tee!
-
MGI Zip X1 Electric Caddy Review
Mike Bailey took the MGI Zip X1 electric caddy out for a few outings to assess the features on offer for those who prefer to walk the golf course
By Mike Bailey Published
-
'LIV Golf Is On A Much Stronger Footing And Its Legitimacy Is On The Rise'
Our writers rate LIV Golf's off-season that included a new TV deal, new CEO and other signings
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'She Was My Biggest Fan' - Tiger Woods Announces Death Of His Mother Kultida
Woods paid tribute to his "biggest fan" and "greatest supporter" who has sadly passed away
By Elliott Heath Published
-
‘He’s Shattered’ - Chubby Chandler Casts Doubts Over Tiger Woods’ 2025 Chances
The agent predicts that Woods won't be present at any of the four Majors this year, with Chandler claiming Woods' competitive appearances are 'damaging his legacy'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Tiger Woods Announces Extension With Bridgestone Golf
After 25 years with Bridgestone, the 15-time Major winner has announced a contract extension to continue using their Tour B X golf balls
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Tiger Woods' TGL Debut Proves More Popular Than Rival NBA Clashes As League Bosses Celebrate Ratings Increase
Woods' Jupiter Links suffered a blowout TGL loss on Tuesday night, but it still caught the attention of over 1 million fans - more than two concurrent NBA games
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Watch: Tiger Woods In Hysterics After Moment Of Madness From TGL Teammate
The Jupiter Links GC star cried with laughter following teammate Kevin Kisner's misjudged bunker effort during the encounter with Los Angeles Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Los Angeles GC Defeat Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links GC In Commanding TGL Victory
Los Angeles GC put Woods' team to the sword, as the trio of Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala and Justin Rose closed out a dominant 12-1 victory
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Tiger Woods Set For TGL Debut As Week 2 Line-Ups Revealed
Ahead of Los Angeles GC vs Jupiter Links GC in week two of TGL, Tiger Woods has been confirmed as part of the Floridian squad's starting trio...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tiger Woods' Sun Day Red Faces Fresh Logo Challenge From Puma
The legal issues for Tiger Woods' new company Sun Day Red's logo keep coming as now sportswear giant Puma has launched a fresh challenge
By Paul Higham Published