Rickie Fowler is a cautionary tale in overexposing a superstar

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I'm sure some of you have already seen this but many not.  It supports my hypothesis that earning lots of endorsement money can occupy too much time and be a disincentive to working as hard as possible on the craft that got you there.

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2020/12/06/eamon-lynch-rickie-fowler-cautionary-tale-overexposing-a-superstar/

 

I'm a Fowler fan so I hope he can be more competitive. 

 

[manku]

My earliest memory, and most lasting, is Rickie laying up on 15 at the Phoenix Open when he had a chance to win.  
 

I think that speaks volumes about his character, and as many of us older folks have come to realize, people don’t change.

 

He seems like a terrific guy, though.

 

[gvogel]

Well, there's always the Anthony Kim example.

 

Perhaps we'll see Rickie in the announcer's booth one day.

[miamistomp]

  Very few sportsmen have the competitive fire once the wallet is full

[Socrates]

Say whatever you want about his off course money commitments, you still have to admit that he is now 31 and it already past his physical prime (which is about 26).  Talent wise, Rickie is/was good, but you would never confuse him with great.  And he is now competing against guys 10 years younger than him with crazy good talent and there's lots of them.  All this adds up to Rickie becoming destined for the commentator's booth before he's ready for it.  Move over Justin Leonard.

 

And that doesn't even include a smoking hot athlete wife who is likely wearing him out.  The "poor" guy doesn't stand a chance.

[Dr. Block]

I think Ricky takes a lot of unfair criticism. It's not like he hasn't won a few times.

 

I don't think his taking of the millions of advertising dollars waved in his face over the years proves he isn't driven, It just proves he's smart. When people hand you money, you take it. 

 

 

[Abh159]

To me, Rickie's story is all that different from Sergio or Adam Scott's. All three were very hot commodities when they first came out on tour. They all had high levels of acclaim and endorsements, and they all won the Player's Championship in their mid-late 20s.

 

Scott and Sergio have had successful careers and both eventually won a major. I see Rickie's career following a similar path. I think he'll win a major or two one day, and will probably win several more tour tournaments as well. 

 

[James the Hogan Fan]

He's won a few tournaments including a Players. He's made a bunch of commercials, including funny ones, which is rare in this day and age. He has made more money in the last 10 years than I will make in a lifetime. So I'm not sure what the problem is. Not everyone can win everything. He happens to be an average tour player with some gimmicks that make him a fan favorite. See also Camilo Villegas, etc.

 

"There are a handful of superstars for whom 2021 looms as a crucial time to prove something—McIlroy, Spieth, Koepka—"

 

What, exactly? Koepka has won more majors already (4) than most of the other guys on tour. Speith had one of the best stretches of golf ever in 2015, then it ended. Then later he bagged major #3. McIlroy lays claim to one of the greatest dismantlement of a US Open ever, some Masters collapses, etc, but managed to wrack up 4 majors. 

 

Not everyone's career is a failure just because they did not become the GOAT. Moreover, this era seems to make it tough to win as often as before. So you're not going to see a Tiger, or it's going to be rare. 2 or three wins a year makes you elite in this era of golf. 7-10 career wins is not that bad; only 54 all time have made it to 17 wins. If Fowler can bag a major and a few more wins, great. If not he's done a lot more than most golfers ever will.

[chigolfer1]

I don't think people realize how consistently good he was for so long, but just didn't win enough.  These were his end of year OWGR:

 

2014: 10

2015:  6

2016:  12

2017:  7

2018:  11

2019:  23

Current (per the article where you're starting to see the drop off in the last year): 52

 

He's still only 31 though.  The one poster makes it sound like this is baseball and  you really start declining after 30.  I would need to see the stats but I don't think that's true.  40 would be more of the magic age for that in golf although it might be a little different now with the length seemingly needed.

 

 

 

 

 

[bscinstnct]

It’s telling that the author, Eamon Lynch, after making a series of cogent  points about the pitfalls of too much easy money too fast, closes the article with this sentence, 

 

”All this said...Omg, I wish I was Rickie Fowler. God, please let me be Rickie just for one day!”

 

 

[freeze16172002]

Does he qualify for the Masters? Definately one of the most overhyped golfers of all time. When he wore top 5 in all majors as a medal of honor I knew winning alot wasn't him. There was no frustration at being so close and not closing it out in anyone of them

Edited December 7, 2020 by freeze16172002

[bscinstnct]

29 minutes ago, chigolfer1 said:

I don't think people realize how consistently good he was for so long, but just didn't win enough.  These were his end of year OWGR:

 

2014: 10

2015:  6

2016:  12

2017:  7

2018:  11

2019:  23

Current (per the article where you're starting to see the drop off in the last year): 52

 

He's still only 31 though.  The one poster makes it sound like this is baseball and  you really start declining after 30.  I would need to see the stats but I don't think that's true.  40 would be more of the magic age for that in golf although it might be a little different now with the length seemingly needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The author misses the opportunity to really capture the whole Rickie experience.

 

Rickie is that dude in HS, never gets too worked up, good at everything even though not too competitive, genuinely nice to all and sincerely has good will.

And gets stupid babes without even trying! (And I don’t mean just babes who aren’t in Mensa ; )

 

Rickie is that dude but at the most elite level. Just chillin, playin golf, prolly makes $20MM a year. Doesn’t really seem to get too bogged down in an obsession with winning. 
 

As contradictory as it sounds, he’s actually the definition of

 

#winning

 

😂

[DFS PFD]

Wow, 30 days a year he has to shoot commercials, and that ruins his tournament prep so much he can't compete. Fowler is a hell of a natural talent, but he is just not a competitor like the other kids on the block that are hungry

[Socrates]

Interesting article from Golf Analytics (from 2014) about aging and Pro golf.  I guess 31 isn't quite done yet, but you're coasting.  Rickie better get moving because it sure doesn't look good after 40 although there is Mark O'Meara to look at. 

 

Based on that graph and my age (well past 48, I'm in BIG trouble).

 

https://golfanalytics.wordpress.com/tag/aging/

 

[dlygrisse]

It's a bit like Michelle Wie, except Rickie seems to be in a great place emotionally, whereas I always felt sorry for Michelle in some strange sort of way.  

[Shilgy]

9 minutes ago, Socrates said:

Interesting article from Golf Analytics (from 2014) about aging and Pro golf.  I guess 31 isn't quite done yet, but you're coasting.  Rickie better get moving because it sure doesn't look good after 40 although there is Mark O'Meara to look at. 

 

Based on that graph and my age (well past 48, I'm in BIG trouble).

 

https://golfanalytics.wordpress.com/tag/aging/

 

It will be interesting to see that chart in ten years or so. It seems that in every sport there are more age defying athletes.  There seem to be more players on the tour that are having success into their mid to late 40’s.

[Ferguson]

Marriage and relationships - 

1 hour ago, miamistomp said:

  Very few sportsmen have the competitive fire once the wallet is full

 

If anyone is looking for an oversimplified and unsupported analogy - look no further. 

 

 

 

Miami.

 

[tbowles411]

7 minutes ago, dlygrisse said:

It's a bit like Michelle Wie, except Rickie seems to be in a great place emotionally, whereas I always felt sorry for Michelle in some strange sort of way.  

The main difference is that Michelle had to endure was that her parents ran every part of her golfing career.  She had too much respect to disappoint them, and frankly it cost her.  Both had (have) great talent, but the results just didn't match the expectation.  Rickie seems to be comfortable in his own skin and doesn't take himself too seriously.  I'm sure he wants to win a major or five, but he's done well for himself otherwise.  Tour wins, notoriety, great presence on Tour and with fans, and (we think and hope) a good wife to share life with.

 

He's searching now for changes to make his game more solid and to get better results for the long haul.  I fear that ship has sailed, but I'll always root for him to find some more success.  He's good for the game and he's still popular with the fans and his Tour mates.

 

 

Edited December 7, 2020 by tbowles411

[Soloman1]

It's too bad Rickie Fowler isn't more of a "super achiever." He could learn a thing or two from the people on GolfWRX - who are all the greatest and most brilliant, high net-worth performers in their career fields.

[tbowles411]

10 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

It's too bad Rickie Fowler isn't more of a "super achiever." He could learn a thing or two from the people on GolfWRX - who are all the greatest and most brilliant, high net-worth performers in their career fields.

LOL!  I just spit out my tea!

[Naptime]

Or maybe his game is what it would have been anyway, but he has managed to get some good sponsorship deals back in the day when the flat brim hat was a thing.  I don't recall that he ever claimed to be better than DJ (as did BK) and all that drama.  If he's happy, I'm happy for him.

[DFS PFD]

23 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

It's too bad Rickie Fowler isn't more of a "super achiever." He could learn a thing or two from the people on GolfWRX - who are all the greatest and most brilliant, high net-worth performers in their career fields.

Should we all be praising his mediocrity? I guess that was the point of the article huh? 

[Dr. Block]

3 minutes ago, DFS PFD said:

Should we all be praising his mediocrity? I guess that was the point of the article huh? 

Nine professional wins qualifies as mediocrity?

[BlackDiamondPar5]

44 minutes ago, Ferguson said:

Marriage and relationships - 

 

If anyone is looking for an oversimplified and unsupported analogy - look no further. 

 

 

 

Miami.

 

Though the NFL is full of BIG money busts.

 

35 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

It's too bad Rickie Fowler isn't more of a "super achiever." He could learn a thing or two from the people on GolfWRX - who are all the greatest and most brilliant, high net-worth performers in their career fields.

Depends on the definition of super achiever.  Thus far he's effectively used golf to help create a marketable personality that generates huge sums of personal wealth.  He's far exceeded 99% of his peers in that area.  He seems like a very balanced guy, a great human and I've never heard anything bad about him.  I'm a huge fan. I'd rather have a son be more like Rickie than someone whos so focused on winning that they neglect other parts of life.

 

The author of the article brings up some valid points; Time is the most valued commodity and spending more time on your endorsements takes time away from practicing golf.  Rickie has a very full plate. If he wasn't as successful in generating wealth from marketing himself, I think it's a fair question to ask as to whether he might be hungrier and work more on his game. 

 

Edited December 7, 2020 by BlackDiamondPar5

[Ferguson]

"Price is what you pay and value is what you get."  

 

I paid the price by pulling for Rickie one to many times, only to receive no value.   

He's a colorful middle of the pack guy.   Golf needs a Fowler.  

 

 

 

Michelle Wie is dealing with a whole new challenge - marriage. 

Hope it lasts.

 

 

 

 

 

[Dr. Block]

13 minutes ago, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

Though the NFL is full of BIG money busts.

 

Depends on the definition of super achiever.  Thus far he's effectively used golf to help create a marketable personality that generates huge sums of personal wealth.  He's far exceeded 99% of his peers in that area.  He seems like a very balanced guy, a great human and I've never heard anything bad about him.  I'm a huge fan. I'd rather have a son be more like Rickie than some A-hole that may win more.  

 

The author of the article brings up some valid points; Time is the most valued commodity and spending more time on your endorsements takes time away from practicing golf.  Rickie has a very full plate. If he wasn't as successful in generating wealth from marketing himself, I think it's a fair question to ask as to whether he might be hungrier and work more on his game. 

 

I would love to hear the author of that article lay out his objective analysis for even suggesting that filming a few commercials could severely impact Rickie's ability to work on his golf game. Nothing more than useless conjecture - the driving force of new age, click-bait journalism.  I suppose it keeps our little tour talk world spinning though, so It can't be too bad, lol 

Edited December 7, 2020 by Dr. Block

[cardoustie]

great golfer .. and great guy by all accounts

 

Marketable ... good for him .. somebody has to make commercials with some humor tossed in

 

Not everyone wants to be Tiger or Jack or Pepperturbo

 

[BlackDiamondPar5]

4 minutes ago, cardoustie said:

great golfer .. and great guy by all accounts

 

Marketable ... good for him .. somebody has to make commercials with some humor tossed in

 

Not everyone wants to be Tiger or Jack or Pepperturbo

 

OMG--- that last line-- I almost choked on lunch 🤣

 

5 minutes ago, Dr. Block said:

I would love to hear the author of that article lay out his objective analysis for even suggesting that filming a few commercials could severely impact Rickie's ability to work on his golf game. Nothing more than speculative conjecture - the driving force of new age, click-bait journalism.  I suppose it keeps our little tour talk world spinning though, so It can't be too bad, lol 

I agree on clickbait journalism.  But I'd suspect the author has some insight into the obligations to sponsors more so than most of us.  If someone really knows then it would make for good discussion.

[Dr. Block]

11 minutes ago, BlackDiamondPar5 said:

OMG--- that last line-- I almost choked on lunch 🤣

 

I agree on clickbait journalism.  But I'd suspect the author has some insight into the obligations to sponsors more so than most of us.  If someone really knows then it would make for good discussion.

The only support he provides beyond his own speculation is one quote from Rickie, and it's probably out of context. He set the table to write a decent article. Maybe he didn't have enough space to get a little more meat in there, but more likely, he did his research and found nothing more then one sad looking little chicken wing he could feed us. But why let that stand in the way of a good headline. If he ever has any trouble getting work from USA Today, I'm sure the Washington Post could use him, lol.  

Edited December 7, 2020 by Dr. Block

[Rory4Pres]

I feel like Rickie let out a few tears about this article from his Learjet.