‘Surprised’ Rickie Fowler gives his honest reaction after Keegan Bradley becomes USA Ryder Cup captain

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Rickie Fowler headed into the 2023 Ryder Cup in superb fashion, and was expected to make a real splash in Rome.

The Team USA veteran was appearing in his fifth Ryder Cup in Italy, having only just tasted success at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Fowler also registered a career-best 18 top-25 finishes in 2023, but really let his standards slip when it mattered most.

The experienced American lost both of his matches at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, with Team USA losing 16½-11½.

He now has an overall record of 3-9-5 in four-ball, foursomes and singles respectively, having made his event debut back in 2010.

Rickie Fowler ‘surprised’ by Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup captaincy

The iconic tournament returns next September at Bethpage Black, New York, with Fowler certain to be eager to be involved once more.

But that decision could come down to new captain Keegan Bradley, with Fowler now sharing his honest reaction to the appointment.

“I mean I was surprised,” said Fowler, as per Golf Channel. “It’s such a different direction than we have gone in the past but I’m not mad about it, especially when you look at the lack of success we have had in the last 30 years.

“I think with the addition of a manager with John Wood in that role right now, it takes a lot of the day-to-day and potential time that a captain needs to put in to the lead up to the Ryder Cup.

“After looking at everything and knowing about it, I think it could be a great change.”

Rickie Fowler turns to Scottish Open after Rocket Mortgage Classic

Fowler is all the way back down in 44th place in the Team USA rankings, but still has plenty of time before the event gets underway.

All of the pressure will, of course, be on the hosts, given both the location of the next edition and indeed their poor showing last time out.

It remains to be seen how the players – young and old – will perform under Bradley, but Fowler has admitted to feeling ‘a lot more relaxed’ compared to when he first started on the PGA Tour.

The American failed to defend his Rocket Mortgage Classic title in Detroit last month, finishing tied for 31st.

His attentions now turn to the Scottish Open, where Fowler will be using two 4-irons due to the two clubs being slightly different.