Rickie Fowler: Close to Victory, But Found Something Priceless Instead
Rickie Fowler came impressively close to a major win at The Open, finishing 14th with a strong 8-under-par 276. Though he missed out on the $3.1 million winner’s prize, what he gained in return seems to hold more value to him—quality time with his family. Fowler, who has not claimed a win since 2023, showed glimpses of his old form, building on the momentum he had from the Memorial Tournament.
After The Open at Royal Portrush, Fowler reflected on the experience through a social media post. Sharing photos from his trip, he described the time spent at Portstewart Golf Club and praised the friendliness of the people. He called the tournament week “as good as I remember,” thanking everyone for another special Open experience.
Upon returning home from Northern Ireland, Fowler posted a touching moment from the airport runway, writing, “Being able to hug my girls after being over the pond…Priceless!!” He expressed gratitude for reuniting with his daughters, Maya and Nellie, emphasizing once again the importance of family in his life. This isn’t the first time he’s opened up about this. At the John Deere Classic, he talked about how family now takes priority over golf, even though golf remains a passion. He acknowledged the need to still work and compete, but said, “family is family.”
Ahead of his first daughter’s birth in 2021, Fowler shared similar thoughts, stating that his child would come first, and everything else, including golf, would shift around that. His goal has been to manage his responsibilities efficiently while still performing on the course.
Although his winless streak continues, Fowler’s emotional focus remains on what truly matters to him—his wife and daughters. He may have fallen short of lifting a trophy, but he sees greater value in being present for his family.
Similarly, Scottie Scheffler, the 2025 Champion Golfer of the Year, echoed this sentiment during The Open. He mentioned that if golf ever began to interfere with his home life, he’d walk away from it. For Scheffler, being a good father means more than being a great golfer. After his win, he celebrated with his 1-year-old son and shared that the first person he looks for after every victory is his wife—his best friend.
Both Fowler and Scheffler are redefining success, not just by scores and trophies, but by their roles as fathers and husbands. In a sport where pressure and ambition are constant, these two players remind everyone of what’s truly worth chasing.