Fan favorite Rickie Fowler returns to Bay Hill with motivation and in contention

Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel on Mar 6, 2026

Published in Golf

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Rickie Fowler missed last year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The Arnie missed Rickie, too.

Fowler’s inability to qualify for the 2025 API left a void at the annual event in Orlando, where he’d teed it up since 2017 and was as popular with galleries as any golfer.

But after a year away, Fowler is back and in contention at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Another 3-under par 69 left him 6-under after 36 holes on Friday afternoon and in a pack of golfers giving chase to first-round leader Daniel Berger.

Fowler’s absence in 2025 lit a fire in him and — coupled with a resurgent golf game — earned him a spot in this week’s 72-player field.

“It gave me a little motivation,” he said. “It was a bummer not to be here.”

Being denied a sponsor’s exemption stung. But Fowler’s inconsistency was ultimately to blame.

“There’s no guarantees, and it’s up to the tournament and the people involved who they want to give those to,” he said. “It’s a lot easier when you go out and earn it.”

Top-10 finishes during two events in the FedEx Cup Playoffs still left Fowler two spots shy of reaching the Tour Championship, but they were significant progress and among seven top 25s in his final 12 PGA Tour events.

With three more in four events in 2026, Fowler has risen from outside the top 125 in the world rankings 10 months ago to No. 68 entering the week.

A strong finish at Bay Hill would continue Fowler’s quest to secure a bid to the Masters in April. A fourth-place finish or better would move him into the top 50.

Earning a spot in the API was a big step, both professionally and personally.

“I didn’t have to ask for favors or ask for invites,” he said. “So a little more stress-free this year.”

Fowler’s dedication to the event is rooted in his close relationship to the tournament founder. The 37-year-old’s first API was 2010, when he was 21.

When a scheduling conflict prevented him from playing in 2016, Fowler drove from his home in Jupiter to Orlando to personally deliver the news to Palmer before what would become the legend’s final API.

“It was probably one of the hardest things I had to do,” Fowler said. “Felt like worse than a breakup to come up here and tell him that. He wasn’t too excited.

“But obviously him being a player he understood and respected that I came here and told him.”

Fowler first met Palmer when he won an AJGA event at a 17-year-old at Bay Hill in 2006. The two men would go on to develop a special relationship that continues a decade after Palmer’s passing.

On Tuesday, Fowler was delighted to receive the Arnie Award from Golf Digest for his philanthropic works and a relationship with fans reminiscent of the one Palmer enjoyed during his Hall of Fame career.

On Sunday, Fowler hopes to hoist the champion’s trophy and don the red cardigan awarded to the winner. The 2015 Players Championship winner and five-time PGA Tour champion values few tournaments outside the majors more than Palmer’s event.

Back at Bay Hill and in contention, Fowler hopes the next step is the winner’s circle.

“This would be very high on the list,” he said. “It would be a lot more special being able to get that red sweater from Arnie himself. But this has always been one of my favorite events.”