Rickie Fowler hits back at ‘haters’

• Rickie Fowler responds to Olympic criticism
• American was ridiculed for his performance in Rio
• Says he feels sorry for internet trolls 

Rickie Fowler has taken a dig at ‘haters’ on social media who criticised his performance during last week’s Olympic Games.

Fowler finished in a tie for 37th in Rio, 13 shots outside the bronze medal won by his compatriot Matt Kuchar. That prompted a backlash from some Internet trolls, who accused the 27-year-old of putting America ‘to shame’ with his ‘lack of effort’.

Read more -> Rickie Fowler making US golfers ‘jealous’ with Rio antics 

One Instagram user even commented on a video Fowler posted of himself working out in the gym in Rio, saying: “I knew you’d party down there an not care about winning for the USA. Figure it out tomorrow you bum.”

Another went even further, saying: “Way to embarrass your country today you jerk. You make me ashamed to be an American.”

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Speaking ahead of this week’s Wyndham Championship, where he is trying to lock down a place on the US Ryder Cup team, Fowler admitted he had noticed some of the criticism aimed at him – and threw back a well-placed barb of his own.

“I’m sorry they have to resort to putting out hate on social media” – Rickie Fowler

“That’s the way it is now,” said the world No.8. “You got haters. It’s unfortunate. We deal with them everyday. If we didn’t have them then we wouldn’t have the opportunity to do what we get to do.

“It’s unfortunate for them. I’m sorry they have to resort to putting hate out on social media. That might be the best part of their day. I’m enjoying it a lot more.”

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Currently sitting in 12th place in the US Ryder Cup standings, with the top eight players qualifying automatically for the team at the conclusion of the BMW Championship on September 11, Fowler has gone straight from Rio to the Wyndham in the hope of giving his prospects of making captain Davis Love III’s team a timely shot in the arm.

“I want to do my best to make that team on points,” he added. “I know I’m a little ways out. Some good golf can take care of that.

“I want to show that I am committed to the Ryder Cup and I want to be a part of that team but I got to take care of my business and make more birdies and less bogeys.”

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Rickie Fowler: Did you know…

Rickie Fowler has played eight matches across two Ryder Cups (2010, 2014) but has yet to experience the thrill of winning. He has lost three times and halved his other five matches.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor