Rickie Fowler is targeting a place at this year’s Ryder Cup after his first win on the PGA Tour in 1,610 days at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Fowler shot a final round four-under-par 68, including a dramatic birdie on the last hole in regulation to force his way into a three-man playoff with fellow American Collin Morikawa and Canada’s Adam Hadwin.
Despite finding the right rough with his tee shot on the first playoff hole, Fowler produced a superb iron shot into the 18th green before sinking another birdie putt to win the playoff and claim his first PGA Tour win since the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February 2019.
Having come close to victory at the US Open last month after carding a record-breaking opening round, Fowler continued his good form with a T13 at the Travelers Championship last week before capturing his sixth PGA Tour title in front of a frenzied and partisan crowd in Detroit.
Fresh off his triumph, the resurgent American, who dropped to as low as 185 in the world rankings last September, has now set his sights on a place in USA's 12-man team for the Ryder Cup in a few months.
“One of the main goals this year was to win,” he said on Sunday.
“Outside of that was obviously playing well and doing what I've been doing to make it to the Tour Championship.
“One of the end goals was to be a part of the Ryder Cup team and that's still what we're focusing on right now. I’ve been a part of a handful and they're very special weeks, so that's where I have kind of my eyes.”
The 34-year-old has played in four Ryder Cups since making his debut in 2010. Having missed USA's dominant 2021 Ryder Cup victory at Whistling Straits due to poor form, Fowler now sits 12th in the qualification standings for the US team.
The top six qualify automatically for the tournament, which this year is held at Marco Simone just outside Rome, while the other six are selected by US Captain Zach Johnson.
America will be searching for their first Ryder Cup win on European soil since 1993 when Tom Watson captained the side to a 15-13 win at the Belfry.
-
Watch Rickie Fowler Make Hole-In-One On Buddies Trip With Justin Thomas To Pine ValleyRickie Fowler made the ace in the company of his close friend on the downhill par-3 third at the ultra-private course in New Jersey
-
Charlie Woods Shoots 81 To Fall Short In Bid To Qualify For 2024 US OpenCharlie Woods carded a nine-over-par round in local qualifying to miss out on one of five spots into final qualifying
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
-
Rickie Fowler To Complete Family Fourball With Announcement Of Second Child On The WayRickie Fowler and wife Allison will welcome their second child in August this year, the couple announced in a Masters-themed social media post
-
'What The F***?' How PGA Tour Pros (Including Rory McIlroy And Justin Thomas) Reacted To Merger News During Full Swing Season 2The Netflix cameras captured the reactions of a number of PGA Tour pros after the June 6 agreement became public which were shared in Season 2 of 'Full Swing'
-
Pebble Beach Pro-Am Prize Money Payout 2024Justin Rose defends his title as players compete for a huge purse at the PGA Tour signature event
-
Why Rickie Fowler’s Driver-Face Tweaks Are Completely LegalThe American recently made a small aesthetic change to the face of his driver - but it won't land him in any hot water...
-
Odyssey Golf And YouTube Stars Good Good Collaborate With New PuttersThe YouTube group signed a deal with Callaway at the start of 2023 and will release their second limited-edition product together
-
Seven-Handicap YouTube Star Defies Odds To Complete Hole-In-One ChallengeYouTube star and CEO of gaming organisation 100 Thieves 'Nadeshot' achieved the feat in little over an hour having rented out a course to put his skills to the test
-
Who Are The No Laying Up Members?Get to know the characters behind the hugely successful golf content creation company
