Despite Being Shown the Exit Door, Rickie Fowler Becomes the ‘Bigger Person’ With Latest Gesture for Ex-Sponsor

Rickie Fowler was not seen with his longtime sponsorship logos when he first appeared this year to play at the Sentry. Then came the news that he had severed ties with Farmers Insurance. Then came another shocker. He had also split from his other longtime sponsor, with whom he has been in business since 2015, Rocket Mortgage. So, Fowler is not contractually obligated to play in Rocket Mortgage Classic. But he is still choosing to play. The golfer is returning to Detroit Golf Club to defend the title that helped him finish his six-year winless drought. 

Jason Langwell, the executive director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, shared with TheNews, “We’re obviously excited to have Rickie back. He’s jacked to be back.” He not only kept it to that but also pointed out how the golfer’s connection with the sponsor has nothing to do with his play on the greens. He reflected, “He’s pumped to be back, and obviously, he’s a needle-mover, regardless of his (title) defense and regardless of his association with us. He brings the orange out in anybody, and he’s gonna be doing that again this year.”

Langwell did not forget to point out how Fowler is also going to be a father for the second time. He pointed out in an amiable tone how the pro should try to “hoist his second Rocket Mortgage Classic trophy” before he welcomes his second baby girl in the world. The tournament is scheduled for June 27–30, and Fowler’s baby girl is expected to arrive in August. The golfer has played in all five previous editions of the tournament. 

When uncertainty was looming about Fowler’s sponsorship with RM, he mentioned that there was nothing much to worry about. He stated, “I think there is a good chance we will have the logo and move forward with the partnership there.” But there were not any confirmations on Rocket Mortgage’s part, and the split was apparent. The golfer cut ties with his sponsors, and everybody in the golf world knows it! But why did he do so? 

Why did Fowler sever his ties with long-time sponsors?

When Fowler was not seen with any logos at the season opener, many people started getting concerned about whether he would leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf. He clarified, “I have zero plans to go anywhere.” Fowler shared that Farmers Insurance was reluctant to renew his contract: “My contract was up, and I was told they weren’t looking to renew or extend.” His contract with the brand ended because they wanted to “scale back.”

In an interview with Golfweek, Fowler said, “Time is valuable, and I don’t want to overextend myself. Ten years ago, single me, it was a lot easier to use that time for work-related stuff. Now, I want to make sure it’s worthwhile and with the right people. I don’t want to be a billboard or NASCAR driver type of thing, but I do want to have a good, core group of partners.” 

He welcomed his first baby girl, Maya Fowler, on November 18, 2021, with his wife, Allison Stokke. He will now be becoming a dad for the second time, and family time sure holds a lot of value in his life; hence, his cutting ties with sponsors makes sense because it leads to less commitment on and off the greens! Do you think Fowler will be able to defend his title?