“You Can’t Fake It”: Rickie Fowler Opens Up After Strong Arnold Palmer Invitational Finish
Rickie Fowler climbed the leaderboard through two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which means he heads into the weekend in contention.
Rickie Fowler climbed the leaderboard through two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which means he heads into the weekend in contention.
However, the 37-year-old did not qualify for the tournament in 2025. As a result, he missed the event for the first time since 2017. In the meantime, the tournament took place without him at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
Speaking about the event on Friday at a press conference, Fowler said success at Bay Hill demands execution across the field and the course.
“This is a special one, especially with one, the field, but the golf course, the test, it's a grind, and the guys that win here and have success here, you can't fake it around this place, you have to earn it.”
The 2015 THE PLAYERS Championship winner carded rounds of 69 and 69 for a 6-under 138, moving up 21 spots to T6 heading into the weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Now he has returned to the field and placed himself among the players chasing the lead heading into the final rounds.
During the conversation, Fowler also spoke about what the event means to him.
Rickie Fowler Reflects on His Connection With the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Six-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler then addressed what the Arnold Palmer Invitational means to him and recalled his experiences at the venue.
“Yeah, this would be very high on the list. It would be a lot more special being able to get that red sweater from Arnie himself. This has always been one of my favorite events. I won a junior event back here in the day, an AJGA event.”
At Bay Hill, his connection to the venue dates back to 2006, when he won an American Junior Golf Association event at Bay Hill at the age of 17.
Following that, Fowler continued to compete regularly at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has made 14 appearances at the event and recorded several competitive runs.
In 2013, Fowler finished tied for third and played in the final group alongside Tiger Woods before a triple bogey on the 16th hole ended his challenge.
Earlier this week, ahead of the 2026 edition, Fowler received the Golf Digest Arnie Award, which recognizes contributions that reflect the legacy of Arnold Palmer through charity, sportsmanship, and engagement with fans.
Will Rickie Fowler turn this run into a title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Rickie Fowler climbed the leaderboard through two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which means he heads into the weekend in contention.
Rickie Fowler climbed the leaderboard through two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which means he heads into the weekend in contention.
However, the 37-year-old did not qualify for the tournament in 2025. As a result, he missed the event for the first time since 2017. In the meantime, the tournament took place without him at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
Speaking about the event on Friday at a press conference, Fowler said success at Bay Hill demands execution across the field and the course.
“This is a special one, especially with one, the field, but the golf course, the test, it's a grind, and the guys that win here and have success here, you can't fake it around this place, you have to earn it.”
The 2015 THE PLAYERS Championship winner carded rounds of 69 and 69 for a 6-under 138, moving up 21 spots to T6 heading into the weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Now he has returned to the field and placed himself among the players chasing the lead heading into the final rounds.
During the conversation, Fowler also spoke about what the event means to him.
Rickie Fowler Reflects on His Connection With the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Six-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler then addressed what the Arnold Palmer Invitational means to him and recalled his experiences at the venue.
“Yeah, this would be very high on the list. It would be a lot more special being able to get that red sweater from Arnie himself. This has always been one of my favorite events. I won a junior event back here in the day, an AJGA event.”
At Bay Hill, his connection to the venue dates back to 2006, when he won an American Junior Golf Association event at Bay Hill at the age of 17.
Following that, Fowler continued to compete regularly at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has made 14 appearances at the event and recorded several competitive runs.
In 2013, Fowler finished tied for third and played in the final group alongside Tiger Woods before a triple bogey on the 16th hole ended his challenge.
Earlier this week, ahead of the 2026 edition, Fowler received the Golf Digest Arnie Award, which recognizes contributions that reflect the legacy of Arnold Palmer through charity, sportsmanship, and engagement with fans.
Will Rickie Fowler turn this run into a title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational?
Rickie Fowler climbed the leaderboard through two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which means he heads into the weekend in contention.
Rickie Fowler climbed the leaderboard through two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which means he heads into the weekend in contention.
However, the 37-year-old did not qualify for the tournament in 2025. As a result, he missed the event for the first time since 2017. In the meantime, the tournament took place without him at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
Speaking about the event on Friday at a press conference, Fowler said success at Bay Hill demands execution across the field and the course.
“This is a special one, especially with one, the field, but the golf course, the test, it's a grind, and the guys that win here and have success here, you can't fake it around this place, you have to earn it.”
The 2015 THE PLAYERS Championship winner carded rounds of 69 and 69 for a 6-under 138, moving up 21 spots to T6 heading into the weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Now he has returned to the field and placed himself among the players chasing the lead heading into the final rounds.
During the conversation, Fowler also spoke about what the event means to him.
Rickie Fowler Reflects on His Connection With the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Six-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler then addressed what the Arnold Palmer Invitational means to him and recalled his experiences at the venue.
“Yeah, this would be very high on the list. It would be a lot more special being able to get that red sweater from Arnie himself. This has always been one of my favorite events. I won a junior event back here in the day, an AJGA event.”
At Bay Hill, his connection to the venue dates back to 2006, when he won an American Junior Golf Association event at Bay Hill at the age of 17.
Following that, Fowler continued to compete regularly at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has made 14 appearances at the event and recorded several competitive runs.
In 2013, Fowler finished tied for third and played in the final group alongside Tiger Woods before a triple bogey on the 16th hole ended his challenge.
Earlier this week, ahead of the 2026 edition, Fowler received the Golf Digest Arnie Award, which recognizes contributions that reflect the legacy of Arnold Palmer through charity, sportsmanship, and engagement with fans.
Will Rickie Fowler turn this run into a title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational?
Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Joyita Das