At the Players Championship, Rickie Fowler encountered a contentious situation with a spectator during his performance at the 16th hole of TPC Sawgrass
After barely making the cut following a stronger second round, Fowler’s attempt to continue his under-par performance in the third round took a hit, ending the day with a disappointing score that placed him tied for 72nd.
An interaction on the 16th hole exacerbated Fowler’s challenging round when he confronted a spectator for causing a distraction during his swing.
Despite Fowler’s caddie, Ricky Romano, urging the crowd to silence their phones prior to Fowler’s tee shot, it seemed his request was ignored.
Fowler’s tee shot successfully reached the fairway, yet a specific audience member’s actions visibly upset him. Right after his swing, Fowler addressed the individual with a direct confrontation, which momentarily directed him towards the crowd.
The situation visibly unsettled Fowler, contributing to a subsequent shot that ended in the water, followed by another mishap leading to a second water hazard. Nonetheless, Fowler managed a commendable recovery with his sixth shot, which brought him close to salvaging the hole before ultimately scoring a double-bogey seven.
Finishing the round with a score over par, Fowler’s struggle was particularly evident at the 16th hole, which marred a round that included a birdie amidst bogeys.
Starting 2024 on a rocky note, Fowler’s performance at the Players Championship followed less than stellar results in earlier tournaments, contrasting with a revival in 2023 marked by a notable win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
