Rickie Fowler checks massive box in major championship quest but another looms

Rickie Fowler made the most of his sponsor’s exemption into the 2025 Memorial Tournament.

Fresh off a solid week at the Charles Schwab Challenge, Fowler navigated Muirfield Village well this week in Dublin, Ohio, going 69-73 on the weekend to finish in a tie for seventh place at 1-under. Scottie Scheffler successfully defended his title with a four-shot win over Ben Griffin.

But with that top-10 finish, Fowler punched his ticket to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The Memorial Tournament had one Open Championship spot to award to the non-exempt player who finished the highest. Fowler finished in a tie with Brandt Snedeker, who shot a final-round 65, but Fowler earned the spot via his spot in the Official World Golf Rankings.

“Well, we’re heading the right way,” Fowler said of his game on Sunday after earning the spot. “This week still could have been a lot better, but definite positive is going over to Portrush. That’s one I’ve wanted on the schedule. I had a great time when we were there last and had a decent showing as well. So links golf’s my favorite. Portrush is a great spot, so excited for that opportunity.”

Fowler won’t have too much time to enjoy his secured ticket to Northern Ireland, though.

Since he is not exempt into the 2025 U.S. Open, Fowler will play in the 36-hole qualifier on Monday at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Columbus, Ohio.

With one major exemption in his pocket, Fowler hopes to ride the momentum from a positive week at Jack Nicklaus’ place and snag a place in the proceedings at Oakmont in two weeks.

“Long day tomorrow,” Fowler said. “Hopefully, we saved all the putts for tomorrow because nothing went in or wanted to go in today, and that’s been something that’s been good as of late. Still hit a lot of really good putts, just there was a lid on. Yeah, I’m excited for tomorrow. We went and drove the golf course earlier this week. So long day, but go play some solid golf and all should work out.”

Max Homa, Matt Kuchar, Padraig Harrington, Cameron Young and LIV Golf’s James Piot are also in the field for the Kinsale qualifier on “Golf’s Longest Day.”

After winning the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic, Fowler has been grinding to rediscover his old form. He had a tough 2024 season and did not qualify for the 2025 Masters. He missed the cut at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. He was in contention at the Charles Schwab Challenge and the Cognizant Classic but his chances were done in by poor weekend rounds. He started off hot at the Players Championship before being battered on the weekend by TPC Sawgrass.

But Fowler now has posted three top-16 finishes in his last four starts, including a T15 at the Signature Event Truist Championship and a T7 this week at Memorial.

Fowler, who has been adamant that he is doing the right work and is a better golfer than he was during his rise a decade ago, is finally seeing his hour grinding in the background payoff.

“I’m in a lot better spot now versus earlier in the year or going into where I was last year,” Fowler said. “Been fighting hard and putting a lot of work in and trying to stay as patient as possible. Starting to finally see some good things, and that work start to pay off, so I’m excited for tournaments heading up first and foremost tomorrow, and see if we can go play some solid golf and go get ourselves a tee time at Oakmont and go from there.”

Rickie Fowler was given a chance to play his way to Royal Portrush. He did that.

Monday, he’ll have to do it again to get to Oakmont.