Rickie Fowler wins Rocket Mortgage Classic in play-off to end long barren run

Rickie Fowler snapped a barren run of over four years with victory in the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.

Fowler’s game unravelled following his win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Super Bowl Sunday in 2019.

He slipped to a low of 185 in the world, but reconnected with coach Butch Harmon at the start of 2023 and the hard work on the range began to bear fruit with an upturn in form.

The 34-year-old did it the hard way, as he claimed victory in a play-off with Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin.

Fowler was in control of his game on the front nine, as three birdies took him into contention.

Things got a little shaky on the back nine, as he scrambled a par from a bunker on 12 before missing makeable putts on 14 and 15.

After failing to make a birdie on the 17th, a gift of a par five, his task on the 18th was simple: make birdie to get in the play-off.

Under huge pressure, Fowler fired a stunning approach to three feet and rolled in the putt to get in the play-off.

The trio went to the 18th tee for the play-off, and while Morikawa and Hadwin found the fairway, Fowler flared his tee shot way to the right.

It was so far right, it was on the walkway where the spectators had trampled down the grass. He took advantage of his slice of luck to fire his second to 10 feet.

After Hadwin and Morikawa missed their birdie chances, Fowler stood over his putt and stroked it home.

He took a moment to reflect on the achievement, before being mobbed by his jubilant caddie.

The win will send Fowler to Europe on a high for the Open Championship in three weeks’ time.

Hoylale last hosted the Open in 2014, when Fowler finished second behind Rory McIlroy. Dare to dream.