Rickie Fowler, a top-five finisher at every golf major this season, has been shocked at the attention shaving “USA” into his head has received ahead of the Ryder Cup.
The American has long been a fashion trendsetter with colourful outfits but his fashion style is now spreading to hairdos.
“It has gone a bit crazier than I expected,” Fowler admitted Wednesday. “Just thought I would do it for a little team spirit and knew the guys on the team would like it. It has been fun to see the reaction.
“I didn’t really expect for it to take off as much as it has. I’ve seen pictures of people back home getting a similar haircut. I’ve seen a few pictures posted on Instagram. I saw one guy got an ‘EU’ on the side of his head, so it works both ways, for Europe or the US. But it’s just cool to see a lot of people coming together and kind of jumping on.”
There have been some critics but they do not worry Fowler.
“It’s all about showing spirit for country. We are proud to be over here, proud to be part of the US team and this is just a different way of showing it,” Fowler said.
“If people take it the wrong way, it’s too bad for them. It’s unfortunate. You’ve got to show some patriotism and spirit for your country.
“I’m just myself. I’m not trying to be anyone else. I’m not trying to fit in any particular way. I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings or turn anyone the wrong way. Just proud to be from the USA and be over here playing the Ryder Cup.”
Fowler became only the third player to finish in the top five at all four majors in the same year, joining Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods this season.
Fowler was the first to do it since Woods in 2005 but also the first to come away without a victory — sharing second at the US and British Opens, third at the PGA Championship and fifth at the Masters.
“It would be nice to take the Cup back to the States this week,” Fowler said. “It would cap off a great year for me.”
– McIlroy rivalry builds –
Fowler and top-ranked British Open and PGA Championship winner Rory McIlroy, both 25, have battled in majors and can meet again this week at Gleneagles as their rivalry builds.
“There’s definitely the possibility of him and I being able to create something and play against each other for a long time,” Fowler said.
“The year Rory has put together, it’s quite impressive. He has been the best player in the world this summer. I’m looking forward to getting some wins of my own and see if I can chase him down a bit. We have 20, 25 years to go back and forth against each other. It’s going to be fun.”
Fowler won last year at Quail Hollow and at the 2011 Korean Open, edging pal and Florida neighbor McIlroy each time.
“Rickie and I have been close way before we lived close to each other or before we were competing in majors,” McIlroy said. “We’ve known each other for a good seven or eight years. I feel like I’ve just built a friendship with him.
“We’ve had a few good battles in the past. We’ve obviously had these close encounters in the majors this year, so hopefully we have a lot more of those in the years to come.”
Fowler likes the idea that rising young stars might be able to provide a trophy-taking spark by the weekend.
“If the young guys play well, we can help build some momentum and confidence and help some of the older guys, get them fired up a little bit more,” he said. “There’s the chance the young guys could fire the team up a bit and carry them through.”