Why Is Rickie Fowler Not Playing? Latest Update Hints Towards a Dark Ryder Cup Future

The whole golf world is busy wondering how the Ryder Cup will end. However, one player on the American squad was absent on the second day of the patriotic showdown in Rome. The veteran, Rickie Fowler, was missing from the line-up amid rumors of his health going downhill.

The match happening on foreign soil is keeping the European audience excited. But the American fans back home are probably suffering with their national team as they fail to gain the lead in the ongoing game. What will happen if one of the American players falls sick amid this?

Where is Rickie Fowler in the Ryder Cup?

PGA Tour professional Rickie Fowler is allegedly sick with an infection amid the ongoing Ryder Cup. Yesterday, the commentators also divulged that he might be struggling with a sinus infection. However, Zach Johnson did not confirm why he was not playing in the morning fourballs today (Saturday).

In fact, in the press conference yesterday, when Johnson was asked why Fowler was sitting in the morning sessions, the skipper refused to be specific about the players and said no to divulging any information. But as per the various reports, Fowler has been sick all week.

During the Day 1 session, Fowler was paired with Collin Morikawa. While the former missed an 8-foot putt, further losing the opportunity to win the hole, the two suffered a 2&1 loss against the European duo of Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka.

On Day 1, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were sitting during the matches due to the rules of the game, but Rickie Fowler’s absence from the lineup is not about that. If the rumors about his ill health are true, it can be a further problem for Team USA after their poor start, as Fowler is a Ryder Cup veteran, with this being his fifth appearance and a record of 3-7-5.

Also Read: ‘Awful’: Brooks Koepka and Other ’Dawgs’ Hit With a Bummer Even Before Teeing Up; American Fans Turn Furious

Recapping Day 1 of the Ryder Cup 2023 and Fowler’s role in it

The opening day at the Marco Simone Golf Course and Club in Rome did not fall in Team USA’s favor. The Europeans carded a 4-0 in the morning foursomes and swept the Americans clean. At the end of the day, Europe held a lead over the Americans of 6.5–1.5, with Team USA now being able to grab a single win and all their points coming thanks to ties!

Fowler played only in the one foursome during the morning session on Friday and has since not taken to the greens to help the Americans try and defend their title, which came with their 19-9 at Whistling Straits in 2021.

Furthermore, Team USA is also vying to end its 30-year-old losing streak on foreign soil. However, with this kind of start, they may not be able to.

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