Rickie Fowler Gets Last Word With Officials at Charles Schwab Challenge

Newsweek

23-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Rickie Fowler has faced a challenging season this year, struggling to find his rhythm on the course. The orange-loving golfer has teed off in 11 events but has managed only three top-25 finishes so far.
For Fowler fans, his major performances have been equally disappointing. While the golf world witnessed spectacular victories at the Masters and PGA Championship, Fowler failed to qualify for the Masters and missed the cut at Quail Hollow this year.
This is in stark contrast to his dominant 2014 season, where he finished in the top 5 in all four Majors.
But just when it seemed like things couldn't get worse, Fowler found himself at the center of a rules controversy during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Fowler's fence dilemma sparked debate with PGA Tour officials
During the first round, Fowler was already struggling, but things took a turn for the worse on the 14th hole. His tee shot sailed through the trees, landing just an inch away from a barbed-wire fence.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 22: Rickie Fowler of the United States talks to his caddie on the fifth green during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge 2025 at Colonial Country Club on...
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 22: Rickie Fowler of the United States talks to his caddie on the fifth green during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge 2025 at Colonial Country Club on May 22, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by) More
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This position led to a discussion with two PGA Tour officials.
Fowler, believing he deserved free relief, cracked a joke before the debate escalated: "So if I hit and pull it off, do I get like a shot off?"
However, Pete Dachisen, the first rules official, disagreed, arguing that Fowler's plan to take the shot was "unrealistic."
The frustrated Fowler, prompting his caddie, Ricky Romano, to step in:
"I mean, if you're going to hit it, you should get relief because you're standing on it. ... He said he's going to hit it regardless," Romano said to the rules official.
Dachisen was then joined by Robby Ware, another rules official, for a second opinion. Ware also disagreed, stating that the fence likely ran underneath Fowler's ball, making the shot even more difficult.
The long conversation turned into a back-and-forth exchange between Fowler and Ware. Ware asked, "If the path's not here, you're not standing on the path, would you take that shot on?"
Fowler responded, explaining, "I'm going to right now just because the other options aren't great."
Ware then came up with another option: "OK, the other option is obviously you could take an unplayable on the path and end up over there. That's one of your other options.
The question is whether it's a reasonable shot for you to play if you weren't standing on the cart path."
But Fowler wasn't convinced. "Well, there's not really another option," he shot back.
Ware countered further, stating, "There is, but not a free relief option. ... Honestly, with the proximity to the fence and if the cart path wasn't here, I don't feel like you would take that shot.
"I feel that that's too risky because of the proximity of the club and the fence and the direction of the play."
Fowler stood his ground against the Tour officials
Despite the officials' skepticism, Fowler decided to take the shot anyway. His ball maneuvered through the trees, landing in the rough to the right of the fairway.
From there, he made a bogey 5. The 36-year-old then finished with an even-par 70.
A PGA Tour Live announcer praised the shot, calling it, "An amazing shot."
Rickie Fowler of the United States plays a shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches 2025 at PGA National Resort And Spa on February 28,...
Rickie Fowler of the United States plays a shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches 2025 at PGA National Resort And Spa on February 28, 2025 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. More
Getty Images/Mike Mulholland
But the incident continued to take over social media. It didn't just stir debate among golf fans, but even the broadcasters were puzzled.
One announcer stated, "There's no recourse and the shot's been played, but they say, OK, it's unreasonable that you would do it, and then he did it."
According to Rule 16 of the USGA, players are generally allowed free relief from abnormal course conditions except in a penalty area.
Here's the full statement: "These conditions are not treated as part of your challenge of playing the course, and you are generally allowed free relief except in a penalty area. You normally take relief by dropping a ball in a relief area based on the nearest point of complete relief."
What do you think? Did Fowler deserve relief, or was the ruling fair? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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