Rickie Fowler: Humbled to be picked for 2019 Presidents Cup

Rickie Fowler got the nod from Presidents Cup captain Tiger Woods to replace an injured Brooks Koepka. He’s humbled, but he’s also got his sights set on some serious competition in Australia.

Rickie Fowler is one of the most flamboyant looking players on the PGA Tour. What with his dedication to all orange outfits in his early years and his jogger pants and no-tuck golf shirts and specially designed shoes, he’s hard to miss. But as a person, he’s more thoughtful than most might imagine. Last week, he was picked to replace Brooks Koepka for the U.S. Presidents Cup team, which is no easy task since Koepka is currently the No. 1 player in the world.

In a Presidents Cup phone conference, Fowler said he it was a humbling experience to be picked by Tiger Woods, the vice captains, Zach Johnson, Fred Couples and Steve Stricker and by the members of the team.

“Obviously, I would have liked to have made the team on points and not have to be worried about the process and waiting to see how Brooks was going to be feeling,” he admitted, which seems to indicate that Woods had him in the first spot as a possible replacement for Koepka or anyone else who might not have been able to play.

However, not being in the top 12 in points, Fowler took time off this fall for his wedding with Allison Stokke, which took place in mid-October. The timing took him out of the fall PGA Tour events. He couldn’t even play his way into contention as one of Woods’ four captain’s picks. He had accepted that.

Since the honeymoon, though, Fowler has been playing a lot of golf with the South Florida PGA Tour contingent.

“I feel really good about the game and been able to get some great matches in with J.T. and Tiger and Gary (Woodland) and some of the other guys in South Florida,” he explained.

Now he’s stepping into the very large shoes of Koepka.

“It’s definitely not easy to replace world No. 1,” Fowler noted, adding that he hopes Koepka heals quickly  and gets back to competition soon.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to go down there and play with the rest of the guys on the team,” he added.

When asked who he might like to partner with, he cited past success with Thomas and Johnson.

"“Obviously, Justin is top of the list, him and I having a great showing at Liberty National there for the last Presidents Cup,” Fowler explained. “Another one I played with in team format before is Dustin. Outside of that, you know, I’m kind of last man on the team, not necessarily in a position where I get to say, ‘Hey, I’m playing with this guy, send me out.’”"

But if he performs well on day one, he may be able to say that on day two.  Realistically, though, he feels he can partner with most anyone on the team.  He hopes they feel the same way about him.

"“I do feel like there’s guys that I know better and that I’ve played with more and I feel like there is a better fit when it comes to that,” he added. “I feel like I’m very easygoing as a player. I don’t have anyone that I would say I’m not going to play with them.”More from Pro Golf NowGolf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning dealFantasy Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational DFS Player SelectionsBrutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at ConcessionFantasy Golf: An Early Look at the 2024 Masters Tournament"

He cited his experience in the 2010 Ryder Cup where weather delays caused things to go awry. He had been practicing with a certain group of guys, and before the alternate shot matches, the planned pairings changed.

"“Everything, kind of got mixed up and we had to play everyone,” he recalled. “Jim Furyk and I had to go tee it up together, and nothing that we had prepared for, but that was the way everything fell because there was going to be an odd group out based on everyone having to play.”"

He knows the formats and has both Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup experience, so he understands the pressure involved.

“Obviously best-ball, you’re playing your own ball, so there’s not a whole lot to that,” he said. “And alternate-shot, you can play around having to play the two different balls, if needed, teeing off with the other guy’s ball, and figuring things out from there.”

He said the main thing was that guys have to step up and “figure out a way to get it done.”

As far as Royal Melbourne is concerned, he likes the course.

"“I’ve loved all the trips I’ve had down to Melbourne, especially just the style of golf I love,  that kind of hard, fast, links-style of golf,” he noted. “Royal Melbourne is definitely a golf course you need to think your way around and position yourself to be able to get at certain pin locations the right way.”"

While Fowler is a late addition to the Presidents Cup team, he’s enthusiastic about the chance to play.

“It’s awesome. These are some of the best weeks of our careers, and I’m lucky enough that I’ve been a part of a handful now, and I’m well aware of that,” he added.