Rickie Fowler revealed that he has been battling the putting yips during the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. Despite this, he managed to shoot an impressive six-under 66 in the opening round, ranking seventh in the field in putting. This strong putting performance comes after a T20 finish at the Travelers, indicating that Fowler has been making progress with his putting game. He attributed his improved putting to switching between conventional and cross-handed putting styles, which has helped him with feel and touch on the greens.
Fowler mentioned that he has been dealing with a twitch in his right hand, which contributed to his struggles with trusting his putting stroke. By switching to cross-handed putting, he feels that it locks his right hand and wrist, allowing him to focus more on touch and feel rather than speed. Putting has been a significant focus for Fowler, as he believes that good putting sets the foundation for the rest of his game. Throughout his career, Fowler’s putting statistics have correlated with his overall performance, with better putting leading to better results on the course.
Despite the stigma surrounding the yips in golf, Fowler openly acknowledged his battle with them, showcasing a sense of transparency and honesty about his struggles. By addressing his putting issues head-on, he may be taking a step towards overcoming them and improving his performance on the course. Fowler’s admission of his struggles with the yips could be a strategic move to address the root of his putting problems and work towards finding a solution to improve his game.
Fowler’s success at the Rocket Mortgage Classic depends heavily on his putting performance, as evidenced by his past results and season-long statistics. By focusing on his putting and making adjustments to his technique, Fowler aims to free up his game and allow other aspects, such as his ball striking, to fall into place. With a renewed emphasis on his putting game, Fowler is optimistic about his chances at the tournament and looks forward to potentially defending his title from the previous year.
As Fowler navigates the challenges of the yips and works on fine-tuning his putting stroke, the golfing world will be watching to see how he performs in future tournaments. With a history of success in putting, Fowler has the potential to bounce back from his struggles and regain his competitive edge on the PGA Tour. By prioritizing his putting game and making necessary adjustments, Fowler is positioning himself for a strong comeback and a return to form at the highest levels of professional golf.
