Money Games With Michael Jordan Perfect PGA Prep For Rickie Fowler

Fowler has been struggling for form of late but has taken encouragement from "not having to hand out money to M.J."

Money Games With Michael Jordan Perfect PGA Prep For Rickie Fowler

Fowler has been struggling for form of late but has taken encouragement from "not having to hand out money to M.J."

Money Games With Michael Jordan Perfect PGA Prep For Rickie Fowler

In a bid to turn his form around, and with a little more schedule flexibility than he’s been accustomed to in previous years, Rickie Fowler has been cleaning out the pockets of some fellow high-profile members at his home course, The Grove. 

And among them is three-time PGA Tour winner Kevin Kisner, although Fowler didn’t disclose just how much he’s won nor did he “throw his [Kisner’s] partner under the bus.”

“I mean, you can ask Kis a couple days ago if I took any money,” Fowler said after carding an opening-round 71 (-1) at the PGA Championship

“I won't throw his partner under the bus, but I can throw Kis under the bus. Yeah, I have put some money in the pocket.”

However, the bigger scalp was that of sporting icon Michael Jordan. Giving out 10 shots, Fowler has taken solace from coming out unscathed against the six-time NBA Champion, who owns the club they play at.

“I think not having to hand out any money to M.J. has been probably the bigger wins because of how Grove sets up for him, where he's able to press. 

“He's good. A lot of the guys in the shop, there's side bets and stuff, typically the over/under number is 77.

“If I'm able to win the original match and lose - not have him flip the original match because of the press or multiple presses. So if I don't lose money to him, that's actually a win. Yes, I've had money go out and come in.”

The 32-year-old began the year’s second major ranked 128th in the world, but turned in an improved showing on Thursday over Kiawah Island’s brutal Ocean Course, attributing the score to a more compliant putter.

Such has been his dip that Fowler missed the Masters for the first time since 2010 and only got into the PGA because of a late invite.

Related: John Catlin receives slow-play penalty at PGA Championship

Andrew Wright
Staff Writer

A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he went on to enjoy a spell freelancing for Stats Perform producing football reports, and then for RacingNews365 covering Formula 1. However, he couldn't turn down the opportunity to get back into the sport he grew up watching and playing and now covers a mixture of equipment, instruction and news for Golf Monthly's website and print title.


Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.


As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.


What's in Andy's bag?

Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)

Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro '19 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider X

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x