Rickie Fowler Gets Candid on His Most Wholesome Family Moment at Cognizant Classic Despite Lingering Form

Published 03/02/2024, 3:30 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

As the sun set on another sensational round at the 2024 Cognizant Classic, the first round saw Chad Ramely sit on the top of the leaderboard. However, Rickie Fowler had a rather poor start to the event. After ending round one at T76, Fowler opened up about his insights on playing at this tournament, which happens to be held not much farther from his home. 

Being a beloved husband and a doting father, Fowler is delighted to compete on the Floridian greens, knowing that his wife, Allison Stokke, and daughter, Maya, have always got his back. Golfing on the tours most of the year away from home can be mind-bending. But the family man surely knows how to manage situations on and off the course.

Rickie Fowler’s family time on and off the green

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At the pre-match press conference at the Cognizant Classic, the Ben Hogan Award winner was asked about his experience playing at the Palm Beach Gardens. The interviewer asked, “This is obviously the closest possible golf course to your home.” To which Floridian replied, It’s great. It’s always nice to be able to sleep in your own bed.” He further mentioned the rarity of this scenario: “We don’t get to do that a whole lot throughout the year.”

The six-time PGA Tour winner further explained how he utilized the time with his family to the fullest, despite the tournament being up close. He stated, “We were home last week, and then I didn’t come to the course out here until Wednesday.” Fowler explained how he values every moment amidst the competitive fervor on the greens. He added, “So just kind of, I guess, enjoying time at home while I can, and show up for the tournament.”

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Fowler also stated, “But being able to go home and have some good home cooking and sleeping in our own bed,” with his family is what offers him a sense of ease before the game but can also be a double-edged sword. He added, “it can be good and bad at the same time.”

The six-time PGA Tour winner further explained that, while the convenience of playing at a nearby course offers the comfort of home, it also presents challenges in maintaining the focus and intensity required for tournament play and stated, “Yeah, some guys don’t like it because it doesn’t quite have the same feel of being at a tournament. “Like I said, it’s hard to beat being at home.” Rickie Fowler isn’t just a golfing sensation but also a devoted family man, and his past events on the course have only reinforced this image. 

Balancing golf greatness with family love

It is no secret that Rickie Fowler is a devoted family man. After tying the knot with Allison Stroke, their union took another leap forward in November with the arrival of their cute little daughter, Maya. Fowler surely is a proud ‘girl dad.’ When Maya was only three months old, her father had already started making plans to make his daughter his future golfing partner. During the 2022 Honda Classic, a badge with Fowler’s daughter’s name along with the AJGA logo was present on his golf bag.

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The Fowler father-daughter duo has grabbed the attention of the world of golf and netizens alike many times through their adorable interactions, many of which have taken place on the course as well. One such moment took place during the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. The PGA Tour shared a snippet on its official X handle of the cute interruption that was made by none other than Maya Fowler during the six-time PGA Tour winner’s practice round.

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This simple yet touching gesture was a true testament to his loving nature. Fowler’s commitment to his loved one’s emphasizes the importance of family amidst the rigors of professional sports. Fowler hasn’t had the best start to the new PGA Tour season; will he be able to make a breakthrough at the Cognizant Classic? Let us know your thoughts below.

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Written by:

Dhruv Patel

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Dhruv is a Golf Writer at EssentiallySports. With nearly a year of experience as a writer in sports journalism, he leaves his readers hooked with his unique insights about the gentleman’s sport. Dhruv has a knack for in-depth pieces that dive into golfers' lives and explore their lesser-known sides, and he has done so for many lesser-known names in the sport like Ronald Rugumayo and Patty Tavatanakit.
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Edited by:

Tushhita Barua