Rickie Fowler Receives Special Invite to PGA Championship

[golfgirlrobin]

Apparently this has been confirmed.  Very kind of the PGA of America to throw a special exemption Rickie’s way; I always enjoy watching the old guys get a going away party before they take up their roles as honorary starters. 

[Arn]

He’s in enough commercials I’d of assumed he was there even if he wasn’t. I’m sure it’ll be a magical two days for him.

[MPAndreassi]

3 minutes ago, Arn said:

He’s in enough commercials I’d of assumed he was there even if he wasn’t. I’m sure it’ll be a magical two days for him.

Thats what I was going to point out. The general golfing public sees him so much they probably just assume he’s still able to play in everything. 

[mocokid]

15 minutes ago, Arn said:

He’s in enough commercials I’d of assumed he was there even if he wasn’t. I’m sure it’ll be a magical two days for him.

ouch !!

[Go Cougs]

Well, we'll be beaten into submission by a relentless barrage of Rocket Mortgage commercials during the broadcast either way.

[bscinstnct]

Rickie should 

 

 

Turn it down!

 

🤣

 

 

Guys be chasing a little white ball around and Rickie be in Costa Rica like,

 

 

”That cloud over there looks like at otter , babe”

 

 

[grm24]

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/pga-championship-special-exemptions-extended-rickie-fowler-john-catlin

 

American John Catlin, ranked #82 in the OWGR, also received a special exemption to the PGA. Based on recent play he is more deserving than Fowler.

 

[Rob G 89]

Just like Tony romo and Steph curry it’s their tourney they can do what they want

[paulshack]

Alot of hate in here for fowler! Sure he's having a bad streak, his fan base is massive and much more then just all you old farts on here 😊hopefully he can turn it around soon 

[GoTime]

11 minutes ago, paulshack said:

his fan base is massive

 

is it? Based on what?

Edited April 28, 2021 by GoTime

[bscinstnct]

3 minutes ago, GoTime said:

 

is it? Based on what?

 

[anth]

I don’t see any hate here. I see people making a few jokes. Rickie seems a decent guy - I hope he finds it again

[Go Cougs]

36 minutes ago, paulshack said:

Alot of hate in here for fowler! Sure he's having a bad streak, his fan base is massive and much more then just all you old farts on here 😊hopefully he can turn it around soon 

All of the hate in my being is reserved for the blitzkrieg of Rocket Mortgage commercials we're subjected to every weekend.  I have no hate left over for Fowler or anything else.

[golfgirlrobin]

42 minutes ago, paulshack said:

Alot of hate in here for fowler! Sure he's having a bad streak, his fan base is massive and much more then just all you old farts on here 😊hopefully he can turn it around soon 

What I really hate is the overuse of the word hate.  Special exemptions for the undeserving are merely an annoyance. 

[Old Tom Morris]

Qualified for the most recent Ryder Cup Team.  Fair enough.

[Titleist84]

Wow, had no idea he was 111th on the world golf ranking.  Hard to believe it's been 7 years since his worst finish in a major was T5 in 2014.  Why did he leave Butch?

 

 

[JDCON]

35 minutes ago, golfgirlrobin said:

What I really hate is the overuse of the word hate.  Special exemptions for the undeserving are merely an annoyance. 

I hate pleated pants. There. It had to be said.

[3whacker]

which one of Rickie's sponsors are a major advertiser on the telecast...follow the advertising dollar...Mercedes, Rocket Mortgage, Taylor Made, Cobra, Puma, Master Card

[RSinSG]

No one should be surprised at this. Rickie is a big draw and everyone involved in putting on and televising a sporting event loves big draws. 
 

I am a big Rickie fan as I occasionally play with his grandfather and I hope he gets his game back. 

[freeze16172002]

46 minutes ago, Old Tom Morris said:

Qualified for the most recent Ryder Cup Team.  Fair enough.

but outside the top 100 takes him out

[llewol007]

He better work on his game because he has a draw. There will come a time when people will just know him for being on commercials rather than being in the top of golf. Up to him really on what he wants. 

[Soloman1]

Yeah, he's rich and famous, He's not smart like us.

[tucson5190]

Great to see John Catlin rewarded for a great season in Europe.

[2bGood]

Apparently the Trivago guy got an exemption into the US Open.

 

[iBanesto]

The important question...

 

Will Allison be there?

[jomatty]

9 hours ago, GoTime said:

 

is it? Based on what?

Based on the number of people that follow him, and any metric that measures popularity.  There is more than wrx to the golf landscape.  Not everyone is following everything,  not everyone just wants to debate what is the best 18 degree driving iron. 

[hunterdog]

If I were numbers 11, 12 or 13 on the popularity chart for a piece of the $40 million, should I be pissed?  RF is not only getting paid by endorsers, he’s likely to get paid by the Tour, and the PGA special exemption helps with both.  RF will be making a bunch on money without making cuts.  Is he becoming the Kardashian of golf?

[BombinJim]

What a comeback story it would be if Rickie won the PGA on an exemption...

 

Now back to reality: I’d be happy to see him make the cut and play the weekend.

[Cincy_Ken]

11 hours ago, Rob G 89 said:

Just like Tony romo and Steph curry it’s their tourney they can do what they want

 

1 hour ago, hunterdog said:

If I were numbers 11, 12 or 13 on the popularity chart for a piece of the $40 million, should I be pissed?  RF is not only getting paid by endorsers, he’s likely to get paid by the Tour, and the PGA special exemption helps with both.  RF will be making a bunch on money without making cuts.  Is he becoming the Kardashian of golf?

 

So here's where I have a big problem with this exemption.  Tournaments have the ability to add a couple unqualified guys to generate attention.  The USGA awards special exemptions for the US Open.  Problem is being a golf pro is supposed to be merit based.  Rickie is in a fight to be top 125 in Fed Ex and he just got into a major event he wasn't qualified for.  A good finish jump him into the top 125 and potentially take away someone elses tour card next year.  

 

The top draws on the tour don't need this supplemental money.  Tiger, Phil, Jordan, DJ, etc. make substantial off course income regardless of their on the course results.  Rickie is in this boat as well.  Now we're granting unearned opportunities which potentially takes away someone's job next year.  I think for the spirit of the game exemptions should not be granted for guys potentially on the bubble. 

[BlackDiamondPar5]

14 hours ago, golfgirlrobin said:

Apparently this has been confirmed.  Very kind of the PGA of America to throw a special exemption Rickie’s way; I always enjoy watching the old guys get a going away party before they take up their roles as honorary starters. 

Ouch! That's cold... but hilarious 🤣

Anyway all jokes aside I'd be so happy to see him get back to being even semi-competitive.  He's such a positive influence on golf. 

Edited April 28, 2021 by BlackDiamondPar5