Rickie Fowler - Front Runner at Waste Management Phoenix Open

by Kay McMahon - February 3,2018

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is certainly a golf phonenomen.  And many of those “enthusiastic” fans on #16 are rooting for Rickie Fowler to close this out by being on top as the winner. . .just as I am rooting for Rickie who comes across as the nicest guy.

Nice guy - yes!  He’s got Grant Thornton on his shirt.  Grant Thorntnon, a 7 year old Rickie fan and Rickie who became a fan of his, lost his battle on January 23rd.  Rickie knows Grant is looking down and kept his ball from finding the water during the 3rd.

So when I saw the Golf Channel article about Rickie’s comments, I tend to agree.  The party on #16 at the TPC course is fun, but the bad heckling should be left at home or at least put out of bounds.  Read on. . .

Fowler 'disappointed' by negative heckling at 16  By Will Gray - Golf Channel Article - February 1, 2018, 4:33 pm

“But Fowler is facing the challenge head-on, eager to once again enter the loudest arena on the PGA Tour with a chance to claim a trophy he believes should have already been on his mantle.

Rickie Fowler is no stranger to the gauntlet that is the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, but even he took exception to some of what he heard from the stands Thursday morning.

Fowler played the 16th hole early Thursday morning, before the thousands of well-hydrated fans gathered in the stands had reached their full-throated peak. But there were still a few comments from the gallery that caught the ear of Fowler, who shares the early lead after a 5-under 66. He was “disappointed” with some of what he heard from the tee box.

“I may be somewhat of a fan favorite, but they weren’t holding back,” Fowler said. “I was a little disappointed with some of the stuff that was said, and I don’t want much negativity. The normal boos for missing a green, that’s fine, but leave the heckling to a minimum and make it fun, support the guys out playing.””

Full article:  http://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/fowler-disappointed-negative-heckling-16/