The hits just keep coming for Rickie Fowler. After sparking controversy with his Genesis Invitational exemption, watching 23-year-old LIV golfer David Puig surpass him in rankings and plummet to 85th, Fowler walked into yet another moment of scrutiny at the WM Phoenix Open—this time with an ironic twist that social media couldn’t resist.

Showing up at TPC Scottsdale in head-to-toe camouflage, Fowler probably didn’t expect his bold fashion choice to become a metaphor for his ongoing struggles. On the par-4 ninth hole during Thursday’s opening round, Fowler’s tee shot veered left, finding its way into a bush. What followed was a scene that perfectly encapsulated his recent fortune—or lack thereof.

The California native had to crawl into the foliage to play his next shot, his camouflage outfit making him nearly indistinguishable from his surroundings. By the time he made the turn, he was already 4-over par, his game as hidden as his attire. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. Here was Fowler, a six-time PGA Tour winner, literally disappearing into the bushes. Lately, disappearing acts have become all too familiar for 36-year-olds, particularly on weekends.

Just last week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Fowler followed a promising 7-under start through Friday with a disappointing weekend showing, scoring 1-over par across Saturday and Sunday to finish T53. Similarly, his 2024–25 season continues the story. Despite a T21 at The American Express and showing glimpses of his old form, consistency remains elusive. His weekend scoring average continues to lag significantly behind his Thursday-Friday performances, a pattern that’s becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Even he’s aware of it. 

While Fowler struggled to find his way out of the bushes, fans on social media had already found their target for the day, turning his camouflage misfortune into viral gold.

Fans have a field day at Rickie Fowler’s expense

“Hang it in the louver,” wrote one fan hysterically or sarcastically, treating Fowler’s camouflaged predicament as a masterpiece of unintentional performance art—fitting for a player who has mastered the art of disappearing from leaderboards. Fowler’s last win on the Tour was the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic, it’s high time he made his return to the winner’s circle.

“What am I looking at? I only see a bush and a floating golf club,” wrote one fan. Their sarcasm cutting deep given Fowler’s statistical freefall in 2024—ranking 147th in total strokes gained and 164th in scoring average, numbers that paint a stark picture of his vanishing presence among golf’s elite.

“When you have a morning tee time and a dove shoot that afternoon,” another quipped. “Flag hunting,” mocked another comment. “Wore the correct outfit today….nobody wants to be seen playing from there,” came another observation.

Fowler’s 2024 struggles included a T63 at the PGA Championship and a particularly telling 13-over finish at The Open at Royal Troon—his worst major championship score in five years. Fowler’s fall from 7th in Strokes Gained: Approach in 2023 to 129th in 2024 tells the story of a once-precise iron player who now struggles to find his targets. Maybe it’s time for Fowler to pay attention to his game. Fans seem to echo this sentiment.

“Oh the irony,” simply stated another, a comment that perfectly captured Fowler’s current predicament. His ball speed dropping 3 mph below the PGA Tour average in 2024 marked the first time in his career he’s posted negative strokes gained off the tee—making his camouflaged adventure in the bushes seem less like coincidence and more like destiny.

It is kind of clear that fans weren’t just reacting to a fashion choice gone wrong—they were expressing their frustration at watching a once-dominant force in golf continues to fade from view. What are your thoughts on Fowler’s latest setback? Let us know in the comments section below!