Rickie Fowler has returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in four years after collecting the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club. The inspiring victory in a three-way playoff marks a significant breakthrough for the 35-year-old, who has endured a number of lean seasons. This week is the Californian’s 96th start since his last win at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open and ends the longest winless drought in his PGA Tour career.
Fowler overcame two-time major winner Collin Morikawa and Canada’s Adam Hadwin at the first extra hole after draining a birdie putt from 12 feet for victory and his sixth PGA Tour title.
Fowler birdied six of his last eight holes on Saturday to vault into the 54-hole lead. It was the tenth time he owned or shared the 54-hole lead during his PGA Tour career. Fowler signed for a bogey-free 4-under 68 on Sunday to reach 24-under The flawless round included a birdie at the 72nd hole to join Morikawa and Hadwin in the playoff. It is Fowler’s eighth top 10 finish on the PGA Tour this season. He enjoyed high finishes at his previous four starts; Charles Schwab Challenge (T6), the Memorial Tournament (T9), US Open (T5) and last week’s Travelers Championship (T13).
Morikawa, aged 26, was looking for this sixth PGA Tour win and first win since the 2021 Open Championship. The American fired a sizzling 8-under 64 on Sunday. Hadwin, who owns one PGA Tour title, was hoping to become the fifth player from Canada to win on the PGA Tour this season joining Adam Svensson, Mackenzie Hughes, Corey Conners and Nick Taylor. Hadwin fired a 9-under 63 in the third round to tie the tournament record before carding a 5-under 67 on the final day.
American trio Lucas Glover (65), Taylor Moore (67) and Peter Kuest (68) finished three shots back at 21-under and in a share of fourth place.
Cam Davis was the only Australian to make the cut. The 28-year-old, who scored his only PGA Tour title at this event in 2021, finished in a tie for 17th place after carding a 3-under 69 final round.
The PGA TOUR moves to Illinois for next week’s John Deere Classic to be staged at TPC Deere Run. America’s JT Poston is the defending champion.
1. Rickie Fower -24
T2. Adam Hadwin -24
T2. Collin Morikawa -24
T4. Taylor Moore -21
T4. Lucas Glover -21
T4. Peter Kuest -21
7. Adam Schenk -20
Australians
T17. Cam Davis -16
MC. Harrison Endycott
MC. Aaron Baddeley
MC. Cameron Percy
Photo credit: Cliff Hawkins /Getty Images
