Interview: Rickie Fowler

The American young gun talks social media and what he's looking forward to on his first start in The Masters.

With his surfer's mop of hair and bright orange outfits, Rickie Fowler has become one of the most colourful and sought-after players on the US Tour. But to go with the California cool is a golf game full of power, touch and flair - skills which helped the 22-year-old win the coveted PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award in 2010. Fowler has still yet to win on the US Tour but three second places and a brilliant debut in the Ryder Cup suggest it's only a matter of time before he becomes a multiple winner. His career in the majors is only just beginning but in just four starts he's already made the cut in the US Open as an amateur and finished in the top 15 on his Open debut at St Andrews, shooting better than anyone in the field over the final 54 holes. So what can we expect from Fowler on his first appearance in The Masters? Have you ever been to Augusta as a fan or for a practice round? RF: No, never. What are you looking forward to most about being in The Masters for the first time? RF: There's not really one thing I can think of that sticks out in my mind. It's kind of the whole experience. Driving down Magnolia lane, playing in the par 3 contest, playing practice rounds. Whether it be playing practice rounds prior to the week, during the week, first tee on Thursday, the whole week. Just looking forward to the whole experience. Did you watch it on TV as kid? RF: Yeah. You know I'd look up to the Majors, they were the ones I'd watch and the Masters was definitely the number one tournament I would watch. Do you remember the first time you watched it? Any particularly memorable moments? RF: The first time? I'm not sure. The most memorable moments are obviously watching reruns of Jack's win in 1986 and we've got the tape of Tiger in 97. Are there any particular holes you're looking forward to? RF: Just looking forward to playing the whole course. The par 3 contest will be cool. I haven't seen much of that course there as you know it hasn't been televised very much. How will you prepare for the event? RF: I'm not 100% sure yet. I'm still debating whether to go play the Shell (Houston Open) the week before and do a couple of day trips up there to Augusta. But I may try go up a couple of weeks before and get a look at it. Do you know who you might practice with? RF: Well, Peter Uihlein, my buddy from Oklahoma State, has got in because he won the US Amateur so we're trying to work out some practice dates and I'll probably make some calls to a few guys who have played well there and get out with them. If you don't win who do you think will? RF: Mmmm. It's a good question. There are a lot guys playing well right now. Guys like Westwood and Kaymer are playing well right now. Phil obviously coming off winning last year. I don't know I can't single anyone out. Right now we've got two months to go so we'll have to see what happens. Finally, you seem to have great fun with your Twitter and Facebook updates. Tell us a bit more about that. RF: It's been great for me just because my fans are able to see me in a little bit different way than just seeing me on TV, on the course in that aspect of life. They're able to see me and Bubba Watson mess around on our free time, and mess around on our scooters at the PGA Championship or go out to dinner or go get ice cream or just traditional locker room talk back and forth. They're able to see a different side of the PGA Tour players. I think it's great. It makes them feel like they get to know us a little bit better. It also, I think, grows their interest in the game. As to what he'll be wearing, well you'll just have to watch Sky Sports to find out!