Golfer Rickie Fowler followed up his first PGA Tour win at the Wells Fargo Championship with a second-place finish at The Players last weekend, and the sport "hasn't seen a character this magnetic in years," according to Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman. With his "hip, flat-brimmed cap worn as much backwards as it is forward, Fowler's cutting edge style has taken the Tour by storm." Tilghman: "His peers respect him, kids adore him, young girls love him, parents want to adopt him. The colorful Rickie Fowler is the rage.” Golf Channel’s Frank Nobilo said the 23-year-old Fowler has “completely energized” the sport of golf. There is a "touch of Justin Bieber and Johnny Depp when you look at him." Fowler rode dirt bikes growing up, and he has that "fall down, dust yourself off and get up attitude." Nobilo: "Consequently, he's getting a huge fan base, plus the colorful garb. Golf has become staid over the last few years. He's given it that injection in color” (“Golf Central Live,” NBC, 5/13). GOLF WORLD's Ron Sirak wrote it was “clear evidence” during The Players that Fowler is “one of the most popular players on the tour, especially among kids, who were everywhere sporting Rickie-style flat-brim hats in a multitude of bright colors.” Fowler said, “I love seeing it, especially the little kids running around with my hat on that is kind of flopping around, slightly large for them. I get a laugh out of it and feel honored when 40- and 50-year-old guys are cruising around in all orange” (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 5/14).
