Before this week’s Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, Rickie Fowler had not yet posted a top 10 finish in 2025. His form had been horrible, as evidenced by him dropping outside of the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
Yet, tournament organizers extended a sponsor’s invite to Fowler, who has been one of the more popular players on the PGA Tour for years.
Fowler has long supported the Memorial too, as he has played in every edition since 2010. He has two runner-up finishes at Muirfield Village as well, which explains why he received the nod to play this year.
Fowler then took full advantage of the opportunity.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images/Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Not only did the former Oklahoma State Cowboy tie for seventh — his best result since the ZOZO Championship in Japan last October — but Fowler also earned a spot in this year’s Open Championship, which returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
“This week still could have been a lot better, but definite positive is going over to Portrush,” Fowler said after his 1-over 73 on Sunday.
“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.”
The Memorial Tournament is a part of The Open Qualifying Series, a set of worldwide professional events where the R&A invites the top finisher who is not otherwise exempt.
Fowler, of course, did not have a spot in this year’s Open before Sunday. When he began his final round at 2-under par, every player above him on the leaderboard at Muirfield Village had a tee time for The Open.
Therefore, this lone spot up for grabs was his to lose. Any score around even par would likely punch his ticket to Northern Ireland, especially since the difficulty of Muirfield Village compares to that of a major championship.
But Brandt Snedeker, the 430th ranked player in the world, made Muirfield Village look easy on Sunday. He posted a 7-under 65, which included an eye-opening nine birdies. And, like Fowler, Snedeker was not exempt into this year’s Open at Royal Portrush too.
“I played the last one there when Shane [Lowry] won in [2019], and it’s such a cool venue and such a great golf course,” said Snedeker, who hoped his low round would get him into The Open.
“I really want to make that one bad, so it would be fun to get back over there.”
He almost did.
After playing his first 16 holes in even par, Fowler stood on the 17th tee at 2-under for the championship. He needed a pair of pars to earn a spot in The Open, a tall task since the 17th and 18th holes at Muirfield Village are no slouch.
Fowler missed the 17th fairway and ultimately made a bogey. He then walked to the 18th hole tied with Snedeker at 1-under with an Open spot on the line. But because Fowler’s OWGR ranking is higher than Snedeker’s, Fowler would get the invite in the event of a tie. So, he needed to par Muirfield Village’s 18th. A bogey or worse would give it to Snedeker.
“I saw Brandt [Snedeker] played well today. It’s not easy out there, so [that’s a] darn good round he put together. But, no, I didn’t know exactly,” Fowler said when he asked if he was aware of the drama.
“Just trying to get it into the clubhouse with as least amount of shots possible.”
Fowler found the 18th fairway and then air-mailed the green with his second shot, giving himself a delicate up-and-down for par. But he then produced one of his best shots of the day, nestling his third shot to within tap-in range to secure a spot in The Open — good thing he was not aware of the stakes.
And now, Fowler will stay in Columbus on Sunday night to play in Monday’s U.S. Open qualifier at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club.
“Starting to finally see some good things and that work start to pay off,” Fowler said.
“I’m excited for tournaments coming 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.”
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