Rickie Fowler reveals reason for ‘terrible’ form that has been impacting him ‘for years’

Rickie Fowler is defending his Rocket Mortgage Classic title in Detroit this week, and the PGA Tour star opened up on his struggles with the putter he has endured in recent years

Rickie Fowler has revealed the key reason for his struggles to find consistent form on the PGA Tour has been down to his putting, going as far as describing his problems with the putter as the ‘yips’.

Fowler is in Detroit defending his Rocket Mortgage Classic title this week, having won his first PGA Tour title in over four years last July. It was expected that the victory would be a catalyst for Fowler to return to his former glory, but the American has failed to build on it in the 12 months that have followed.

Looking back at the key issues in his game, Fowler highlighted his problems on the green, admitting to having a slight ‘twitch’ in his putting stroke whilst competing in recent years.

I would say over the last few years I’ve dealt with a little bit of my right hand having a little bit of twitch at times, which you could call it some sort of a ‘yip’, or there’s all kind of names for it,” the 35-year-old told the Golf Channel at this year’s edition of theRocket Mortgage Classic.

I’m fine saying it. When people have dealt with that, it makes it tough to trust hitting good putts. I was hitting a lot of putts that would start on line but it was more of a speed thing. Going back to cross-handed felt like it locks my right hand and wrist a little bit more to where I was able to use that as the driver purely for the touch and feel.”

This is not the first time Fowler has provided an honest assessment about his game, describing his form this as ‘terrible’ following this month’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 where he missed the cut. “I’ve basically played terrible this year; pretty simple and easy way to sum it up,” Fowler admitted after a tough week in North Carolina.