What Rickie Fowler said his relationship with Tiger Woods was like off the course back in 2016

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Over the last decade of his career, Tiger Woods has evolved from a relentless competitor to a sage to the next generation. 

It’s been great to see Tiger Woods embrace the younger generation of superstars such as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, allowing them to come to him for advice as they chase his legend. 

The greatest golfer of all time has still managed to lock into his steely, competitive mindset. Just ask Tony Finau, who was dismissed by Woods at The Masters as he won his fifth Green Jacket. 

But away from the course, Woods has been a mentor and developed close relationships with some of the great players on the PGA Tour. And while Rickie Fowler wasn’t invited to Woods’ event, the Hero World Challenge, this year, the pair have a great relationship that spans ten years. 

Back in 2016, Fowler described what his relationship with the 15-time major winner was like. 

What Rickie Fowler once said was ‘so cool’ about his relationship with Tiger Woods

Fowler, speaking to Golf Monthly before the 2016 Masters, said how upsetting it was to see Woods miss the tournament due to injury. 

He explained how his relationship with Woods has grown in recent years, saying: “I have been lucky enough to spend a bit of time with Tiger over the past year or so down in Jupiter. Once in a while, we have gone for dinner in his restaurant.

“It has been cool to see how much he has been able to open up and how much he wants to hang out with guys. He is fun to be around and it has definitely felt odd not to have Tiger out here competing much over the past couple of years.

“He absolutely wants to be out here competing again and it kills him to be at home when we’re playing. I hope to see Tiger back and healthy and I want to see him competing.

“I said to him: ‘I want to be there on a Sunday playing against you’. He said, ‘You get there and I’ll be there’.

“He is a big reason why we all get to play golf around the world for the money we do, and for attracting the sponsors we have in the game. Obviously there were guys like Jack [Nicklaus] and Arnie [Palmer] before him and guys like Phil [Mickelson], but Tiger took the game to a new level.”

Woods wasn’t able to play in The Masters in 2016 or the following year. He made his return to Augusta National in 2018, before Woods won The Masters in 2019. And his relationship with players such as Fowler made him the most popular winner of the event in years. 

Tiger Woods’ 2026 Masters appearance is in doubt 

Woods’ recent back surgery announcement has thrown his return to the sport into doubt. He last played at The Open Championship in 2024 and was expected to return to TGL in 2026. However, his return date has been pushed back.

Woods turns 50 next month, making him eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions alongside other legends of the game. 

However, he is one PGA Tour win away from becoming the all-time leader in victories on the tour. He’s currently tied with Sam Snead on 82, so Woods could be motivated for one last attempt to break the record. 

Whatever Woods chooses, he will be working relentlessly to tee off at Augusta National this year. But there is still no timeline for Woods’ return, so for now, we can only hope.