Rickie Fowler has made a long-awaited return to golf at the Sanderson Farms Championship after taking almost three months off.
Fowler is playing the Sanderson Farms Championship to get in shape for the Shriners Children’s Open and ZOZO Championship.
The American last played on the PGA Tour at The Open Championship in July, where he finished 71st at Royal Troon.
Fowler now plans to build confidence ahead of the 2025 season, having taking a lengthy break following the birth of his second daughter.
He is now in the field for the Sanderson Farms Championship, which is currently underway in Jackson, Mississippi.
Rickie Fowler makes two big changes ahead of Sanderson Farms Championship
Fowler will certainly be eyeing a strong finish to the 2024 season, having failed to secure a top-10 finish thus far.
He has, however, made two big changes ahead of the event, as revealed in his Sanderson Farms Championship press conference.
“I mean, time off allows for some testing or potential change,” said Fowler. “In a season you might have a week or maybe a two-week break, and it’s sometimes tough to make changes in there, or I’m also not someone that I don’t like to make a whole lot of changes unless I have the time to put reps in and have a bit more of an idea of how things are going to work.
“Yeah, I mean, the two big changes from this week, the putter and the mini-driver. The putter I’ve been doing some testing with for I guess almost two months now. Testing other stuff, as well.
“Yeah, like I said, I wouldn’t be putting something into play if I didn’t think there was a real potential benefit, and sometimes you don’t know if it’s going to be good or bad or maybe not as good.
“I shouldn’t say bad, until you put it in in tournament play or tournament conditions. There are things that can work well at home, but until you’re under the gun, you really don’t know.”
Rickie Fowler returns after one of the longest breaks of his career
This week’s Sanderson Farms Championship represents a tournament debut for the six-time PGA Tour winner.
Lifting the trophy is undoubtedly the main goal for any golfer, but perhaps it would be beneficial for Fowler to simply focus on getting the basics spot on.
A near-three-month break could go either way for the American, who is likely lacking in confidence given his tricky year so far.
He has, however, been able to practise with his new clubs in what was one of the longest breaks of his career.
Fowler also hit the gym during his time away from the course, which should be beneficial for his game going forward.
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