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Fowler Sets Off Fireworks on 4th of July Weekend

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Rickie Fowler wins Rocket Mortgage Classic, ends 4-year drought. The power of 4 was ever present this week!

Rickie Fowler tilted his head back, exhaled, and smiled. In a three-man playoff at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic with Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin, Rickie Fowler makes a birdie on the par-4 18th, the first extra hole, for his sixth career win on the PGA TOUR and first since the 2019 WM Phoenix Open. A dozen words summed up why the golf world so loves Fowler: when interviewed he said – “Yeah, winning is great, but there’s a LOT more to life than that”! Gotta love this guy…

To put that in perspective, his last win came before he got married and had a child. To put it lightly…a LOT has happened since then…As Ricky mentioned in his post-round interview, some things are just more important than golf. Then again he had just won 1.5 million dollars for a weekend’s work! So he’s got that goin’ for him…which is nice!

He finally did it, holding on after so many have seemingly slipped away. I watched as he was wearing his usual Sunday Orange and found myself wondering just how that came to be. “Who the heck wears orange golf gear?” well turns out, Ricky does and says he wears Orange on Sundays to make himself his own man – to stand out. Think Tiger Red on Sundays!

Refusing to crumble and collapse again, Fowler made a 12-foot birdie putt, that slid in on the right-hand side on the first playoff hole of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. He had done it… He outlasted Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin, just two weeks after squandering a chance at the U.S. Open.

“It’s just nice to have this one out of the way,” Fowler said after winning for the first time in four years. “I’m obviously going to soak this one in and celebrate a bit.

“Yeah, it’s just been a long road.” Fowler ended a career-long, 96-start championship drought after missing out on two chances to win in June, closing with a 75 at the U.S. Open to tie for fifth and with a 69 last week at the Travelers Championship to drop into a tie for 13th.

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Followed all day by a sea of orange at Detroit Golf Club, Fowler was knocked down on the leaderboard by a near-record-tying round from Morikawa. Fowler responded on his 72nd hole of the tournament with an approach from 145 feet that left him with a 3-foot birdie putt to pull into a three-way tie with Morikawa and Hadwin at 24 under.

Fowler hit an errant tee-shot way right in the playoff, and after a drop, his approach from 184 landed 12 feet from the cup. Morikawa was inches long on his approach, and instead of having the ball spin back to the hole, it bounced into the rough.

“I truly thought I hit the perfect shot,” Morikawa said. “It just was a little juiced, went a little far and just didn’t have the putter in the hand. Not that the chip wasn’t possible, but would have been nice to have the putter in the hand.”

Hadwin missed a 22-foot putt and Morikawa his chip, opening the door for Fowler to close out the tournament before thunderstorms rolled over Detroit.

“I knew it was just a matter of time with how I’ve been playing,” said Fowler, who has eight top-10 finishes this season. “I’ve had a couple of tough weekends where I had a chance.”

Even though Morikawa was disappointed in coming up short of a victory he has been shooting for since winning the 2021 Open Championship, he was happy for Fowler. “He’s been playing phenomenal golf, it’s great to see,” he said. “People love him.” Morikawa’s 8-under round put him 1 shot back from the course record of 63. Hadwin shot a 67 and Fowler a 68.

Fowler had a share of the 54-hole lead last month at Los Angeles Country Club with an opportunity to win his first major and was at least a co-leader after three rounds in one tournament in each of the previous two years. Before his breakthrough in Detroit, he had won just two of the 10 times he was the third-round leader or co-leader.

The 34-year-old Fowler physically and mentally did what was needed to earn his sixth PGA Tour victory and his first since winning the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The fan favorite and longtime ambassador for Rocket Mortgage was cheered with chants of “Rick-ie! Rick-ie!” as clusters of people gathered around the 18th green hoping he would win it.

Full-Length Post Win Interview

While Fowler faltered, going 10 straight holes and settling for pars on a relatively easy course, Morikawa had four birdies on both the front and back nine. Morikawa made a 10-foot putt at No. 12, his fourth birdie in a six-hole stretch that put him within a shot of Fowler, and his 9-footer for birdie at No. 14 pulled him into a tie with Fowler at 23 under.

Monday qualifier Peter Kuest (65), Lucas Glover (65), and Taylor Moore (67) were tied for fourth at 21 under. Kuest, who started the week ranked 789th in the world, did well enough to earn a spot in this week’s John Deere Classic in Illinois. See ya next week Pete!

Play was suspended Saturday for 1 hour, and 42 minutes because of lightning, and the schedule for the final round was adjusted because of inclement weather in the forecast. The leaders teed off Sunday morning about five hours before the original schedule with threesomes starting on both the front and back nine.

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One of the Greatest Putts in U.S. Open History?

JJ Spaun’s 64-Foot Walk-Off

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When JJ Spaun stood over a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, few could have predicted what would come next. The ball meandered across the slick green, trickling over every contour, picking up speed at the crest, and then—like it had GPS—dropped center cup. Spaun dropped his putter, raised his arms, and the crowd erupted. With that single stroke, he claimed his first major title in one of the most dramatic finishes in U.S. Open history.

But how does Spaun’s putt stack up against other legendary finishes in the tournament’s storied past? Let’s break down some of the most iconic moments and see where this one lands.


1. Payne Stewart – 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst

Perhaps the most iconic putt in U.S. Open history came from Payne Stewart, who nailed a 15-footer for par on the 18th to win by one over Phil Mickelson. The pose—fist pump and outstretched leg—has since been immortalized in a statue at Pinehurst. What made it legendary wasn’t just the putt—it was the context: Stewart’s final major before his tragic death just months later.

Verdict: Iconic and emotional. Spaun’s putt was longer, but Stewart’s was more poetic.


2. Tiger Woods – 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines

Woods drained a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate—while basically playing on one leg. That tournament went to sudden death after an 18-hole playoff, and Tiger prevailed. This was peak Tiger drama, pain and all.

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Verdict: Spaun’s putt was longer, but Tiger’s win was sheer willpower and mystique.


3. Jack Nicklaus – 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

With a 1-iron shot that hit the flagstick on 17 and a crucial birdie putt on 18, Jack sealed a dominant win. His precision and timing under pressure showed why he’s the GOAT.

Verdict: Not a putt for the win, but a signature finishing statement from Jack. Spaun’s was more electric in terms of pure putter drama.


4. Ben Hogan – 1950 U.S. Open at Merion

Hogan’s 1-iron into the 18th fairway and the par to force a playoff—just 16 months after a near-fatal car crash—remain legendary. He won the playoff and completed one of golf’s great comeback stories.

Verdict: Larger-than-life comeback. Spaun’s putt had more flair, but Hogan’s win was heroic.


5. JJ Spaun – 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont

Let’s not underestimate what Spaun accomplished. The pressure was immense. He wasn’t the favorite. And on the most treacherous greens in golf, he buried a 64-foot bomb—a putt most players would be happy to lag to within 5 feet—to win the U.S. Open outright.

Verdict: For distance, surprise, and drama, Spaun’s putt may be the most shocking winning stroke in U.S. Open history.


Final Thoughts

JJ Spaun may not have the résumé of a Nicklaus or Woods, but for one Sunday afternoon in June 2025, he created a moment that will live in golf lore forever. Spaun’s putt was longer than Stewart’s, more unexpected than Tiger’s, and more dramatic than any final-hole finish in recent memory.

In terms of pure clutch putting? It might just be the greatest walk-off in U.S. Open history.


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Meet The Canadian Open Qualifier Tied To ClickIt Golf!

“This week was incredible,” he said. “A dream come true.”

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Josh Goldenberg doesn’t plan to quit his day job. But he had a great time dabbling in his old career.

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He gave up on pro golf, then qualified for his first PGA Tour event.

Read the full story here
https://golf.com/news/josh-goldenberg-rbc-canadian-open/?amp=1

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Scheffler vs. DeChambeau: A Tale of Two Golf Giants

A Clash of Styles in Modern Golf

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In the ever-evolving world of professional golf, few rivalries capture the contrast of style and substance like Scottie Scheffler versus Bryson DeChambeau. While both have claimed massive wins and global headlines, their paths to success and how they play the game couldn’t be more different. Here’s a deep dive into their strengths, weaknesses, career highlights, and what makes each stand out in today’s competitive landscape.

Backgrounds and Styles

Scottie Scheffler
The Dallas-born Scheffler embodies a classic, workmanlike approach to golf. Known for his calm demeanor, efficient swing, and remarkable consistency, Scheffler has risen to the top of the world rankings with little flash but elite-level substance. His game is built on balance, precision, and one of the most reliable tee-to-green performances the sport has seen in years.

Bryson DeChambeau
Nicknamed “The Scientist,” DeChambeau has taken an analytical and experimental approach to the game. He’s redefined physical fitness in golf, adding serious bulk to increase driving distance. Known for using single-length irons and obsessing over launch angles and biomechanics, Bryson is a true disruptor. His aggressive style polarizes fans and analysts, but it undeniably commands attention.

Strengths

Scheffler

  • Tee-to-Green Excellence: Leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee-to-green.
  • Consistency: Rarely misses cuts and often finishes in the top 10.
  • Short Game: Exceptional touch and creativity around the greens.
  • Mental Game: Composed under pressure; rarely rattled.

DeChambeau

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  • Driving Distance: One of the longest hitters in the game; regularly over 320 yards.
  • Innovation: Willing to take unconventional approaches for marginal gains.
  • Power Play: Dominates par 5s and shortens long courses with his length.
  • Confidence: Self-belief and boldness to attempt shots most won’t.

Weaknesses

Scheffler

  • Putting: Historically his weakest stat, though he’s shown improvement.
  • Media Presence: More reserved; lacks the big personality that moves the needle for fans and brands.

DeChambeau

  • Inconsistency: Can be volatile—either dominating or struggling.
  • Course Management: Aggressiveness sometimes leads to trouble.
  • Injury Risk: His physical transformation has come with some health setbacks.

Biggest Wins

Scottie Scheffler

  • The Masters (2022)
  • The Players Championship (2023)
  • Multiple WGC and Signature Events
    As of 2025, Scheffler has claimed over 10 PGA Tour titles and continues to rack up top finishes in majors and elite events.

Bryson DeChambeau

  • U.S. Open (2020)
  • Arnold Palmer Invitational (2021)
  • Multiple LIV Golf Wins
    DeChambeau made headlines by joining LIV Golf, where he’s claimed multiple high-stakes victories, including a team championship and a dominant individual LIV win in 2023.

Career Earnings

Scheffler:
Over $50 million in PGA Tour earnings alone, with additional income from endorsements like Nike, TaylorMade, and Rolex.

DeChambeau:
Estimated $60–$80 million, largely boosted by a reported $100+ million LIV Golf contract and additional prize money. His endorsements have shifted due to his controversial LIV move, but he remains a marketable figure.

Similarities

Both are U.S.-born and played collegiate golf (Scheffler at Texas, DeChambeau at SMU).

Each has reached the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Both have won majors and represented the U.S. in Ryder Cups.

Each has shown a willingness to be different—Scheffler through quiet dominance, DeChambeau through outspoken innovation.

Key Differences

TraitScottie SchefflerBryson DeChambeau
Playing StyleTraditional, consistentAggressive, experimental
Physical TransformationMinimalExtreme (bulk and strength)
EquipmentStandard setupSingle-length irons
Public PersonaReserved, groundedOutspoken, controversial
Tour AffiliationPGA Tour loyalistLIV Golf convert

Final Thoughts

Scheffler and DeChambeau represent two archetypes in modern golf: one a quiet technician, the other a showman scientist. Whether you admire Scottie’s stoic efficiency or Bryson’s radical reinvention, both are changing the game in their own way. And in a sport where individuality meets performance, there’s room—and demand—for both.

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