Rickie Fowler reveals biggest reason for his struggles in 2024

Add as preferred source on Google

Rickie Fowler responded to missing the cuts at The Memorial and US Open by carding an opening round 64 at the Travelers Championship on Thursday.

It has been an incredibly difficult season for Rickie Fowler, who showed some really promising signs in 2023 after a few years of struggling on the PGA Tour.

Fowler was in a fantastic position to win the 2023 US Open before falling away on the final day, while he secured his first win in four years at the Rocket Mortgage Classic last July. His return to form saw him receive a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup in Rome.

Unfortunately, he has been unable to take that form into this year, with Fowler yet to finish inside the top 10. He has also missed five cuts this season, so it would have surprised plenty to see his name up around the top of the leaderboard after the opening round at the Travelers Championship.

Rickie Fowler reveals biggest reason for his 2024 struggles

Speaking after his opening round of -6, Fowler was asked what has been behind his struggles in 2024, and he suggested that there was one standout.

“A big one, putting was something that I could rely on last year, something that I’ve tried to get back to where I was, as well as other parts of the game, but I feel like a lot of it can go back to not putting well,” he said.

“Putting well helps free up other things, you’re not seeing putts go in and it adds to some extra stress to having to hit greens or hit it closer, chip it close. That circle gets quite a bit bigger once you see some go in.”

Stats show a major improvement

Fowler went into this week 131st on tour for strokes gained putting, and averaged just over 68 feet of putts holed per round. In the first round at the Travelers, he managed to hole 123 feet of putts.

Fowler is not the longest hitter on tour by any means, so it is clear how important it is that he is in good form on the greens.

Hopefully his opening round in Connecticut is a positive sign concerning what is to come, for the rest of this week and this season.