Oklahoma State University Athletics
A Quick Nine With Rickie Fowler
September 14, 2010 | Cowboy Golf
Sept. 14, 2010
Former Cowboy All-American Rickie Fowler made history recently by becoming the first PGA Tour rookie to be named to the U.S. Ryder Cup squad. Fowler has enjoyed a highly successful rookie season on Tour and was in Stillwater this week in preparation for his Ryder Cup debut.
No. 1--Did you have a good idea that you might make the Ryder Cup team and what was going through your mind around selection time?
"I knew that I was on a short list and maybe in the last five to 10 guys going into the process. All I really knew was Corey (Pavin) was going to call all of the prospective guys on Monday night, which was the night before the pick. I actually went to dinner with Bubba (Watson) Monday night when we got into Chicago. I got back from dinner and was just hanging out with my dad when I got the call from Corey about 9:30 Monday night."
No.2--What were your immediate thoughts and emotions when he gave you the news?
"Like I said, I knew I was on the short list, but I was never given any indication of whether they were leaning towards me being picked or not being picked. I wasn't sure. Obviously, I was nervous when he called because I didn't know which way he was going to go with it. Basically, he just asked what I was up to and kept it pretty short at the beginning. He then went into it and said, `Rickie, would you like to be a part of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team?' I didn't have to think about it very much and told him I would love to. Obviously, he went into a little more detail about some of the stuff that we will be doing the next couple of weeks and what we will be doing to prepare."
No. 3--Now that you have had a week or so since your selection, has it sunk in?
"It hasn't fully sunk in. I have to keep reminding myself what we are getting ready for and what we are trying to prepare for. I am excited. Like you said, first (PGA) rookie to do it. It would have been nice to do it on points and not be a pick, but being on the team is being on the team. I am looking forward to it."
No. 4--In 2007, you went through some of this same criticism with your Walker Cup selection, do you draw motivation in proving people wrong?
"You can kind of relate it to the first Walker Cup. I was kind of the young guy, one of the younger guys to make the Walker Cup team. I wasn't expected to do great and I went and played well then played well in my second Walker Cup. So, this is similar territory. I can't remember who quoted it, but it was one of the guys on the team right now. I guess it was risky, but there was a different way to describe my pick. Obviously, it is a bit risky. I am young and haven't played over there before and it is a big stage. It is something where I step up and play well and win some matches then it does well for me and looks good on Corey's part. It is a bit risky, but it can go either way."
No. 5--What have you learned throughout rookie season on the PGA Tour?
"It has been a nice transition. Obviously, being a part of the program at Oklahoma State here gave me opportunities to go play some Tour events and play against good competition and that has really helped me prepare to play on Tour. Having that experience being here at OSU and then having some Tour events under my belt before going out and playing, I felt like I could go out and hang with the guys and compete. It definitely helped out that I played well early and put myself in contention."
No. 6--If you had to grade your rookie year how would you do it?
"Last time I was asked that I said A to A-minus. Especially with the Ryder Cup and everything like that. Some of the things that would have made it an A-plus would have been to be in The Tour Championship next week and having a win. We still have some time to try to get a win."
No. 7--Despite being in school just two years, you have served as such a great representative for your school. What was it about Oklahoma State that created that attachment for you?
"It is like a family. All of the guys on the team are some of my closest friends, especially the guys that I spent a year or two with, guys like Peter (Uihlein), Morgan (Hoffmann), Kevin (Tway), Mark (Johnson) and (Michael) Miller. Pretty much all of the guys. That is who I am closest to, so it has helped kept me close. I think having those friends here keeps bringing me back. Being a part of the program as long as I was, having those two years and still having those guys here, it will keep me coming back and being a part of the program for a long time."
No. 8--What is the story behind the all-orange look on Sunday and how did it come about?
"Through junior golf and amateur golf and obviously college golf, we wore a little bit of orange. Whether it be pants or a shirt, some shoes every once in a while or a belt. It started out I was just wearing a white shirt and orange pants and I wanted to get some orange shoes made and an orange belt. I wanted to get an orange shirt made and I had the orange hat, so once I had all the pieces I kind of just figured, you know what, might as well just go all orange. The first time I wore it, I think, was Hilton Head. I may be wrong, but I haven't stopped."
No. 9--What was the reaction the first time you stepped out of the clubhouse?
"I still get all of the reactions. Obviously, more people know about it. People start talking when I walk up on the tee. I know what they are talking about. People start laughing because they think it is funny or a little different, but it doesn't bother me. I like doing it and I like standing out. There have been a bunch of comments about whether it is good for the game. Some people think it is disrespectful to the game, but it is my own thing. I am not out there to wear bone on white or khaki pants. It is very traditional and that is pretty much where the game started, but I think some guys standing out wearing some crazy clothes here and there can help and draws in a different crowd."
