Rickie Fowler makes major rankings breakthrough

Rickie Fowler has re-entered inside the top 50 of the World Golf Rankings for the first time since November 2020.

A tie for 14th in last week’s Wells Fargo Championship pushed the American into 50th position, increasing his chances of competing in three major championships this year.

The last time Fowler competed in all four in one year was in 2020, while the five-time PGA Tour winner has recorded just three major starts since.

• Jordan Spieth an injury doubt for US PGA

• Michelle Wie West not in favour of LIV for women

The 34-year-old, who received his invitation to next week’s PGA Championship on Monday via PGA Points, looks likely to play his part in the rest of the major season.

By May 22, a place in the top 60 of the OWGR would book Fowler’s spot in the field for the 123rd US Open at The Los Angeles Country Club in June.

But Fowler would have to remain inside the top 50 a week later, should he want to compete at Royal Liverpool in the 151st Open Championship.

It comes after a remarkable resurgence through the rankings, after falling to as low as No. 185 in September 2022, the worst world ranking of his professional career.

• PGA Tour chief dismisses slow play concerns

• Tiger accused of sexual harassment by ex

A T11 finish at January’s Farmers Insurance Open catapulted Fowler back into the top 100 for the first time in over a year, and he hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down.

Fowler kickstarted his season with a tie for 6th place at the Fortinet Championship and has missed just one cut since, at the following week’s Shriners Children’s Open.

His eight-under-par showing at Quail Hollow last week marked his seventh top-20 finish in his last eight starts.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.