20-year-old rising star Rickie Fowler is set to play in the Shark Shootout hosted by Greg Norman at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, from December 9-13.

After kicking off his professional career with two top-10 finishes in three starts, Rickie will be the youngest player in Shootout history to compete. He’s teamed up with PGA Tour veteran Chris DiMarco in the 24-player field (12 teams).  Rickie expressed his enthusiasm for the event:

I am obviously thrilled to be playing in The Shark Shootout. Greg Norman is one of the most dynamic players in our game’s history and it is very exciting to be invited to play in an event that he hosts. In addition, I have learned we will be helping raise awareness and funds for CureSearch. It will be a pleasure for me to assist this organization and the tournament as they both seek ways to benefit the lives of children not as fortunate as me.

The tournament will feature a modified alternate shot format during the first round, best ball on Saturday and concludes with a scramble on Sunday. Other bold-faced names competing include Fred Couples, Kenny Perry, Ian Poulter, Zach Johnson, Brian Gay, Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker.

We can’t wait to see Rickie grind it out and vie for the title!

[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

PUMA athlete Rickie Fowler is showing he can play with the big boys. He fired a stellar 7-under 64 in the second round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open for a two-day total 11-under. This is his first PGA Tour event as a professional.

The talented 20-year-old got off to a fast start, racking up 5 birdies and an eagle on his first nine. After his round he told the Golf Channel:

I got out to a little better start on the back nine, my first nine, and turned at 30, which helped out quite a bit. From there, I had to scrape around a bit…I try not to think about expectations. I just go out on the course and do my thing and it’s been working out the past two days and hopefully I’ll have a good weekend.

Going into the final 36 holes, he’s T5. Looking good, Rickie (in those white pants, too). We’ll be rooting for you.

[Photo by Marc Feldman/Getty Images]

In the upcoming months, Rickie will be giving us a behind-the-scenes look into his life on the road — both on and off the course — as a professional golfer. Stay tuned!

PUMA announced at the 2009 Soboba Classic that twenty-year-old golfer Rickie Fowler, who just turned professional, has joined the sportlifestyle brand’s roster of world-class athletes. To celebrate, PUMA welcomed Fowler to the family by surprising him with a customized, motocross-inspired golf cart.

The video gives a behind-the-scenes look with Fowler. He chats about why he started playing golf and chose PUMA. We also see him take his first ride on the cart!

Rickie Fowler and his newly received custom PUMA golf cart, given to him to welcome him to PUMA’s roster of athletes

It’s official — 20-year-old pro Fowler has signed with PUMA to wear our stylin’ apparel, headwear and footwear with Smart Quill technology. He brings a fun, refreshing energy to the golfing world. Rickie’s style on and off the course fits the brand to a tee — “Look Better, Feel Better, Play Better.” And the kid’s got it all.

Before turning pro recently, Rickie was the top-ranked amateur and two-time member of the Walker Cup team. He made his professional debut earlier in the month at the Albertsons Boise Open in Idaho. This week he’s playing at the Soboba Classic Tournament, where PUMA welcomed him to the family and celebrated by surprising him with a tricked-out, motocross-inspired golf cart. It features a roll cage, off-road tires, a push bar and a state-of-the-art stereo system.

Rickie Fowler and Robert Philion, Global Business Unit Manager, PUMA Golf, with Rickie’s custom golf cart, gifted to him to welcome him to PUMA’s roster of athletes

Rickie is breaking in the cart today in his Pro-Am round. He’s playing with his father, Rod Fowler, and famed motocross racers, Jeremy McGrath and Brock Glover. Rickie grew up riding a dirt bike and was once a promising motocross competitor — he LOVES speed (how many MPH does the golf cart have?). He turned his full attention to golf when he was 14, and obviously he was a natural. His racing background shows up in his daredevil approach on the course.

He is excited to be part of the PUMA brand: “[It] is so fun and light-hearted but also serious when it comes to the sport. The PUMA Golf line has all of the features I need to play the game well while allowing me to express my personality with great styles and a unique look, whether I’m playing golf or just hanging out with my friends.”

Rickie makes PUMA look good. And PUMA makes Rickie look good.

Be sure to follow Rickie on Twitter, join his Facebook fan group and check out his new website — management company SFX Golf sees him as “Golf 2.0″ — he’s part of the new generation of young, appealing rising stars with an edge. He sure is! And we couldn’t be happier to have him on the PUMA team.

Good luck this week, Rickie!