We sat down with Rickie and asked him about the behind-the-scenes action on the PGA Tour, life off the course and PUMA Golf gear. Enjoy!
PUMA Golf: I’m sure you’ve heard that the Golf Channel commentators have been raving about you during the coverage over the past few weeks. And, they think you look like Leonardo DiCaprio. Any thoughts?
Rickie Fowler: It’s hard for me to see the comparison, but I’ve heard it from a couple of people. So I guess there has to be a little bit of resemblance. It’s definitely nice and good that they’re talking about me. It’s nice they like me and I’m glad I can bring a little bit of edge to the end of the golf season.
PG: You play really fast and your style is daring. Does your background in motocross racing influence that?
RF: Yeah, definitely. I’ve always played really quick. They give you an amount of time you’re supposed to play in, so you’re not supposed to play slow. But I’ve always made decisions quickly on the course…I get the yardages and then I just step up and hit the shot — I hardly ever take a practice swing.
PG: How’s the PUMA golf cart treating you? How fast does it go? Have you done any off-roading on the golf course yet?
RF: Well, I don’t know the top speed and unfortunately I haven’t been in it that much, just because I’ve been on the road ever since Soboba [Classic where PUMA gave me the cart]. But it’s pretty cool and hopefully I’ll get to spend some time on it in the off-season. I love the big wheels and tires and sound system, so it’ll be fun to cruise around in it.
PG: Are you a big Oklahoma State fan?
RF: Definitely. Being a part of that program the last two years, the people there make you feel like family and I’m always going to be a Cowboy.
PG: I hear you like to wear orange on Sundays. Do you think that will be like your equivalent to Tiger’s red?
RF: In a way, yeah. Not many guys are known for wearing orange pants, so it’s kind of my own thing and hopefully I’ll continue it and maybe it’ll catch on.
PG: Do you have an entourage yet? Or groupies?
RF: No [groupies]. I’d say my entourage consists of family and friends that have been with me through everything and supported me through junior golf, amateur golf, and now onto professional golf.
PG: Do you have a girlfriend?
RF: I do right now. We’ve been together two months. I met her on the road. Her dad plays.
PG: Do you have any rivalries on Tour yet?
RF: No. Most guys that are pretty young out there I know from college or amateur golf and I’m trying to get to know [other] guys. But just getting my feet wet and to know everyone. No rivalries yet.
PG: Do you have a favorite player you like to hang out with on Tour?
RF: There’s a few. I’ve spent a lot of time with Tom Pernice who is a friend from back home. If I have my card next year and I’m out there with a schedule, I’m sure I’ll see the guys I know from amateur golf that I’ll spend some time with. Chris Tidland is another guy I spend a lot of time with back in Stillwater, [Oklahoma]– he got his card on the Nationwide Tour this year. I hang out with a few other guys, but I always stay close to the guys from Oklahoma State because of my ties there.
PG: Are there any players you find annoying?
RF: No. <Laughter> I tend to get along with just about anyone. You know, I’ve heard stories about some guys who are kind of hard to handle, but I haven’t run into any problems.
PG: What would your dream pairing be?
RF: I’d definitely like to play with Tiger down the road. Other than that, [it's great] just getting the chance to play with all the other guys out there. I’ve played with a few now and I’ve had a lot of fun getting to know them. I’m just looking forward to different pairings every week.
PG: What do you do in your free time?
RF: Just relax. Hang out with friends and family. Some of my free time consists of practicing as well. I’m never off from golf too much.
PG: So, you’re obviously a great guy — but come on, you’ve got to have some vices. If you had to pick out a bad habit, what would it be?
RF: Biting my fingernails. It’s stopping, I’m trying.
PG: Who would your dream celeb date be?
RF: Hmm. Megan Fox is a hot topic these days. I’d have to think about that one for a bit — there are a few out there, but I’d have to say Megan Fox is right at the top of the list.
PG: What kind of music do you listen to?
RF: My iPod pretty much has everything — hip-hop, country, but I’d say my favorite is alternative [...] something along the lines of Kings of Leon.
PG: What kind of car do you drive?
RF: Right now, Mistubishi Evo 10. I’m doing a few things to it, waiting for a new turbo right now. I’m into fast cars, so exotic ones, like Ferraris, Lamborghinis. My favorite car as of right now is the new Aston Martin One-77.
PG: Do you ever take your car racing?
RF: Eventually. Once my car is finished — all the motor work — I’ll take it to the track, but not yet.
PG: What’s your favorite PUMA style?
RF: Everything I’ve seen I’ve liked. I’ll wear just about anything and I feel like their brand offers pretty much everything. You can basically get any style you want. So, it’s nice to be able to wear one outfit one day and one the other and it’s completely different — it’s a great lifestyle brand.
PG: How would you describe your sense of style?
RF: On the lifestyle side, it’s a little more Southern Cal, a bit edgy, but nothing out of the ordinary. On the golf course, a little more nontraditional, flashy and outgoing — just different with the colors, style and look and not something you see every day on the course.
PG: What’s the most important part of an outfit?
RF: Every part. From the shoes, to the pants, to the belt, to the shirt and hat — if one thing is wrong, it’s going to ruin the outfit. So I think everything plays a certain piece. But I’d say the shoes are probably a big part on the lifestyle side. I think on the golf side, it’s shoes, belt and hat that kind of make it stand out a little more.
PG: How do you choose your outfits every day? Do you plan them out before you travel?
RF: Yes and no. I usually think of what goes with what when I’m back and throw a bunch of stuff in. Then when I’m on the road, I’ll usually lay out the outfits I’m going to wear Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And of course, if you don’t make the cut, you don’t get to wear the Saturday and Sunday ones. It’s always pre-planned before every day. Every once in a while PUMA will script out something to wear if they need me to. But they’ve seen I can get by putting together my own stuff.
PG: Do you put your pants on one leg at a time?
RF: Shoot, I don’t even know which leg I put in first. I guess whichever feels better that morning!
PG: Have you ever played golf commando-style?
RF: I might have had to once because I had the wrong color boxers on for white pants. I think it was after I was out one morning and then I had to play in the afternoon. I might have had, like, black boxers on and I was going to wear white pants and that wouldn’t have worked out.
PG: Do you think shorts should be allowed on the PGA Tour?
RF: No. Pants look a lot better — that’s more toward the traditional side, but with the style of the PUMA pants, I like how they’re cut. Shorts are a look more for your casual, weekend golfer, not [for a] professional.
Thanks for your time, Rickie!
[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]
