Fowler’s Thrilling Victory: A Playoff Finish in the Rocket Mortgage Classic
The 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic delivered a dose of excitement that could rival any Game 7 showdown on Sunday. Mother Nature did her best to rain on the parade, but nothing could dampen the spirits of golf enthusiasts as they witnessed a nail-biting finish in the heart of the Motor City.
Needing a birdie on 18, Fowler stuck his approach to within 3 feet to sink a birdie putt and force his way into the playoff picture.
Playoff Showdown:
Collin Morikawa, Adam Hadwin, and Rickie Fowler found themselves deadlocked at 24 under par after 72 holes of golf at the Detroit Golf Club. The tournament headed to a playoff, marking only the second time in the history of the Rocket Mortgage Classic that additional holes were needed.
In a battle where every stroke mattered, it was Rickie Fowler who rose to the occasion. With nerves of steel, Fowler sealed the deal after just one extra hole, sinking a birdie that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The win marks Fowler’s sixth PGA Tour victory, and his first since the 2019 WM Phoenix Open. You could practically hear the roar from Detroit as Fowler added another chapter to his storied career.
“It’s hard to really put it all into words,” Fowler said. “Obviously, a lot of good stuff this year and I’ve been playing some really good golf. So I knew it was just a matter of time with how I’ve been playing.”
With the win Fowler will take home $1.584M in tournament winnings, 500pts in the FedEx Cup standings, and 41.9 World Golf Rankings points for his efforts. Rounding out the top 5 was a three way tie for 4th place at 21 under par between Americans Lucas Glover, Peter Kuest, and Taylor Moore.
Up Next For The Tour:
Next up, the PGA Tour is heading to Silvis, Illinois, for the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. After that, get ready for a two-week overseas adventure with the Genesis Scottish Open (July 13-16) and the prestigious Open Championship (July 20-23).
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
Photo: Ryan Casey Aguinaldo. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.