Having experienced mixed fortunes over the last few years, Rickie Fowler has all of a sudden found himself competing at the very top level of golf once again in recent times.
The American came close to winning a first ever major title at the US Open, only to come up just short in the final round. He didn't let that disappointment affect him for too long, going on to claim victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic a couple of weeks later.
That tournament would provide his victory on the PGA Tour since 2019, with Fowler not up to 22nd in the World Rankings despite a few fallow years.
He was hoping to carry his recent rich vein of form into The Open at Royal Liverpool, although he would play some mixed golf on his way to a +1 round of 72.
However, it was a comment made in his direction from outside the ropes that has garnered the most attention.
Golf: Rickie Fowler heckled by Leeds fan at The Open
Speaking after his round earlier today, Rickie Fowler revealed that he had been heckled for a rather strange reason by a golf fan.
When chatting to Kevin Van Valkenburg of No Laying Up, he said his failure to go through with a potential investment in Leeds United had clearly rubbed one spectator up the wrong way.
Chatted with Rickie Fowler after his round. Asked him about being heckled by a fan, something he believed was a first. “He called me a coward for not going through with my Leeds investment,” Fowler said. “That’s a first. Maybe he should put up his own money.”
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) July 20, 2023
He called me a coward for not going through with my Leeds investment.
That’s a first. Maybe he should put up his own money.
Not a comment he expected to hear.
Leeds United were recently taken over by the owners of NFL side San Francisco 49ers, with a number of high profile athlete also joining the consortium. NBA star Russell Westbrook and golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were among those to invest in the venture.
Rickie Fowler had initially also been part of that group, although he later opted not to go through with it.
Footage of the incident would emerge soon after and it was clear it was all done in a light-hearted mood.
Rickie Fowler not happy with a spectator calling him out after pulling plug on 49 er’s deal ! 😂 pic.twitter.com/O2SrVdr3hY
— Liam Marshall (@_LiamMarshall) July 20, 2023
It seems that one Leeds fan was desperate for the golf star to be part of the group and made his feelings known on the matter.
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