Rickie Fowler snaps at heckler during Cognizant Classic

Rickie Fowler might have a reputation for being one golf’s good guys – but that doesn’t mean he’ll put up with any nonsense.

Just ask the heckler who got on his back during the third round of the Cognizant Classic.

Six-time PGA Tour winner Fowler saw an 18-foot birdie putt slide by on the par-4 16th at PGA National when a voice in the gallery said something about his effort that clearly displeased him.

Turning to the grandstand beside the green, a visibly-irked Fowler clapped back: “Of course you know.”

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The American shook his head as he walked to his ball and, as he prepared to mark it, he decided to come back for more.

“That’s why you’re in the stands,” added Fowler.

Watch the incident for yourself here…

Rickie Fowler mixing it up with a mouthy fan, who must have said something about this putt

“Of course you know.”

Added, “that’s why you are in the stands.”

Ok Rick ! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/GaEDdfAtpq

— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) March 1, 2025

After composing himself, Fowler tapped in for par and ultimately signed for a three-under 68.

That put him on 13-under for the tournament and one shot off the lead with a round to go.

Fowler is searching for his first win on tour since the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic and only his second in the last six years.

Once ranked as high as fourth on the Official World Golf Ranking, the 36-year-old started this week in 95th place, having begun 2025 ranked No.74.

Compounding a difficult spell, Fowler – along with Jordan Spieth – had his request for a sponsor’s exemption into next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, a signature event, rejected by tournament organisers.

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Explaining the decision, Palmer’s grandson and former tour pro Sam Saunders told Golfweek: “Rickie’s one of my friends but it has to be non-biased. You try to make sponsor exemptions to be objective and not subjective. And I think that’s what our team did quite well.

“I think every one of us wants Rickie Fowler to be playing in the tournament, we love him. He’s been one of the best spokespersons on behalf of my grandfather and carrying on that legacy, nobody does it better than Rickie Fowler.

“Rickie had gotten a couple of opportunities for exemptions in the elevated events already, and that was something that had to be taken into consideration. You want other players to get opportunities.”

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content 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.

Head of Content