In other words, he's Rickie Fowler... and you're not. And you'll never have to decide whether to lay up or go for it in the final round of a PGA Tournament, with a chance to win.
So you may as well not worry your pretty little self about Rickie's decision. (Though chances are, if you're worrying about it, you're not pretty or little).
In fact, if you're expressing indignation or experiencing mild to extreme shock over Rickie Fowler's well-documented decision to lay up yesterday, you're probably a brawny, male, weekend golfer with serious "Go For It!" issues and fantasies fueled on repeated "Tiger-reaching-a-par-5-in-two" replays.
I said probably. I'm guessing. ...or maybe you're Brian Waker. Then you're just doing your job.
It's telling that the last And in Rickie's case everything is somewhat exacerbated by the fact that... he's Rickie Fowler: the "flashy American rookie". The "fresh, fast, fearless newcomer" promising "flair and excitement".
At 21 Rickie Fowler is already followed around by a lot of folklore, in addition to numerous, newly-minted golf groupies. He's got legends to live up to. Already. "Motocross daredevil", "teen prodigy", "...aggressive player, who takes on greens and goes for the jugular...".
Not surprisingly, the fraternity of golf scribes was less than enthusiastic about his decision on the the 15th. They reminisced about Sundays with Tiger and studied Going for the Green stats. Some suggested that yesterday's play showed a lack of confidence, while others surmised it signaled maturity. There was also some banter... largely positive... about Rickie's statement-making PUMA golf apparel. Peter Kessler wistfully wondered if the styles came in "medium dumpy". That made me laugh.In the end just about everyone who follows golf sees great things to come for Rickie Fowler. And there's little doubt that Rickie will be
If you go to the Rickie Fowler Facebook fan page you get an idea of how popular he is, and how engaged with his extremely diverse fans. As would be expected, some of them questioned the "lay up heard around the world"... and Rickie responded.
In between miscellaneous, light-hearted status updates he wrote: "...to clear up the decision on 15...I had 235 to the stick with not much breeze...the tourney is not won on 15 but can be lost...I knew I had a couple birdie holes ahead therefore I did not need to force anything...I felt that an easy layup and... an easy wedge(which I hit well all week) would give me a good look at birdie...if I was 2 or 3 shots back I would have pulled the hybrid...ultimately I just wish I could go re-hit the wedge which I caught a groove low."
Clearly... and fortunately... it seems Rickie is going to be his own kind of player.
Top Photo:Chris McGrath/Getty Images North America
In this day in age of Robo-Golfers, Rickie is a breath of fresh air. A throw back to days of yore. He's going to exciting to watch. Don't be surprised if he makes the Ryder Cup team either out right or as a Captain's Pick.
ReplyDeleteRalph
Rickie showed a lot of maturity and game management by laying up. I liked it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't like, however, is his choice of clothing. Payne Stewart had style, Ian Poulter has flair, and Rickie has... an unfortunate taste in hats. The oversized stiff brim affair may work for gangsta rappers, but it looks ridiculous on a golf course.
He made the choice that was right for him...and his stats prove his logic. His wedge game already has proven to be one of the best on tour. The Lay Up made Eagle and Bogey very unlikely...and gave him a great chance at a birdie to tie for the lead. SMART play.
ReplyDeleteRickie is the best! Laying up is braver than going for it sometimes.
ReplyDeleteRickie's PUMA apparel is great...on him. Most golfers could pull it off. Hopefully there won't be too many guys over 25... and 200lbs... tempted to try it. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's easy Rickie. Never lay up! ;)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree Patricia. It's pretty damn easy to call that shot from the couch in your living room with snow outside the window.
ReplyDeleteHis game. His decision. Pretty simple. Only Mr. Fowler knows how he's feeling about that shot and what he should do.
I don't care what his reason was, he can make whatever decision he wants to. How many times have we heard that players need to play their own game? Then Mr. Fowler does and he's criticized.
He's playing consistent, great golf and he will get a "W." My guess is sooner rather than later.
He played to his strengths (wedge game inside of 100 yards), and it didn't pan out for him. I totally supported his decision. The media and some fans need to cut him some slack. He's also 21 years old and still learning his way out there.
ReplyDeleteSorry Patricia, but I am not a big fan of Ricky's Metro sexual look. He is a little too effeminate looking.
ReplyDeleteTim Rosaforte made a comment where he thought it took 'real guts' to not just blast away at the green.
ReplyDeleteIf he goes for it and misses badly, he "choked", right? Rickie wasn't pleasing anybody Sunday.
Can I get some hands raised for people making comments that have had similar shots for $400k?
I'm thrilled to see a young go-getter make such a mature decision, because you know that it couldn't have been easy.
ReplyDeleteHowever, had he worn the right hat, he might have been better able to see. I do NOT care for the hip-hop look or whatever it's called. Frankly, that shows a bit of immaturity, but he'll outgrow that. Hopefully.
In the words of Joe Skovron, his Caddie: Maybe too long for a comment? Sorry :/
ReplyDeleteI have to ask this. What was your guys' thought process on the 15th in the final round at the Waste Management?
haha....that seems to be a pretty common question. It comes down to the fact that Rickie wasn't 100% comfortable with going for it. He is a great wedge player and that pin was pretty accessible for a wedge so we layed up. Like Rickie said, we could have lost the tournament on that hole, but you couldn't win it there. If we knock it to 3 feet no one asks that question, but we didn't so I'm sure he and I will hear about it for a while.
What's funny about that is that we layed up on Par 5s more than ever this week and actually played them very well. Rickie and I still stand by the decision we made. I think it was a lot of discipline for a 21 year old in that situation.
Something him and I are learning fast is that you can't try to please everyone with your decisions out there. We got a bit of flack for not laying up on #18 at Frys, a few criticized "going for the pin" on #17 at Torrey, and now there are some that didn't like the decision on #15 at Waste Management. It comes with the territory. We are just making the decisions that we think gives us the best chance of winning a golf tournament.
But, the whole point is most fans want to be excited by a new, young, aggressive golfer who plays to win and isn't afraid to hit the hard shots when it counts. Is Tiger forever going to be the only one who is willing to hit those shots? Sure, he can play however he wants, but that's a boring style of golf. I want to see them hit the shots I can't hit, not lay up and play the hole just like I could.
ReplyDeleteThe 3 wood that Mahan hit from 250+ was an exciting shot. Rickie's layup just reminded me that golf still doesn't have anyone who can consistently rival Tiger in his talent and desire to win. That's what was disappointing about it to me.
Remember that David Toms layed up to beat Mickelson in the PGA, so it does work sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLaying up was the right call...especially with three holes left to attack. Anyone criticizing is not inside the ropes for a reason.
ReplyDelete