Rickie Fowler, once a top-ranked and highly promising golfer, has experienced a significant decline in his career over recent years. After a landmark win at the 2015 Players Championship, where he showcased clutch performance and silenced critics, Fowler's game began to unravel in the late 2010s due to swing changes and confidence issues. These adjustments, intended to improve control, instead led to a loss of the strengths that had made him successful, such as his putting and iron play. Consequently, his performance declined sharply between 2020 and 2022, falling outside the top 150 in key statistical categories and missing major tournaments for the first time in over a decade

. Fowler's struggles have continued into 2024 and 2025. He has had no top-10 finishes this season and only two top-25 finishes, showing regression after a brief rebound in 2023 when he won the Rocket Mortgage Classic. His FedEx Cup ranking has dropped to 91st, and he has missed qualification for major events like the 2025 Masters due to falling outside the top 50 in world rankings and failing to meet entry criteria

. Additionally, Fowler has dealt with illness-related withdrawals, such as pulling out of the Waste Management Phoenix Open in 2024

. Despite these challenges, Fowler remains a fan favorite known for his style and charisma on the course. There is hope among analysts and fellow players that he can regain his form, as he has shown resilience in the past. However, the rise of a new generation of golfers has made it harder for him to stay relevant in the highly competitive PGA Tour environment

. In summary, Rickie Fowler's decline stems from technical changes, confidence loss, and increased competition, resulting in missed qualifications and fewer top finishes in recent seasons. His absence from major tournaments like the 2025 Masters highlights the ongoing struggles in his career