Jun 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Rickie Fowler reacts after teeing off on the eleventh hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
TPC Sawgrass is hard enough in itself to cause quite a headache. Rickie Fowler, though, has one more, and perhaps a bigger headache at the Stadium Course. The six-time PGA Tour winner is apparently struggling with a sinus problem at THE PLAYERS Championship as well.
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Notably, the 35-year-old was also battling with a sinus problem at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, too. It’s certainly not uncommon for nasal issues to impact a player’s performance. Even Tiger Woods admitted to struggling on the course due to his allergies. So, is Rickie Fowler, too, suffering from a recurring health problem that has gone under the radar?
Rickie Fowler and his nasal travails
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Fowler was confirmed to be struggling with a sinus infection at Bay Hill. onlookers too pointed out that Fowler was sneezing incessantly during the rounds. That was not the only time sinus impacted his performance on the greens, however.
At Marco Simone, the 35-year-old was dealing with a sinus infection as well, as Todd Lewis reported during the 2023 Ryder Cup. In fact, Fowler getting benched was also linked with his illness, although, Zach Johnson refused to get into specific details about players in the press conference.
Now, at THE PLAYERS Championship, reports are coming out that the six-time PGA Tour winner is once again battling with a sinus infection. Reports also point out that Rickie Fowler was not in good shape while walking off the green. The 35-year-old finished 2-over 290 after the fourth round.
Sinus infection is a very common problem, but one without a specific cure for a lifetime. Breathing problem is a common fallout as sinuses impact the flow of oxygen to the lungs. Resultantly, it prevents Rickie Fowler from playing at his peak. However, the six-time PGA tour winner has one way to resolve this – follow Jason Day’s path.
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Jason Day went through surgery to end Sinus woe
A decade earlier, Jason Day, was struggling at Whistling Straits at the 2010 PGA Championship. The reason? Sinus infection. The Australian golfer had grappling since January of that year. By May, at the AT&T Byron Nelson, the 13-time PGA Tour winner was almost on the verge of pulling out. “I was close to probably pulling out. I felt like getting in the car and driving back home, but I thought about it again and decided to come play, and it was probably a good idea.”
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Day mulled getting surgery in 2010 but waited a while before going down that road. But eventually, the Aussie underwent surgery to remove the bone from the left side of his sinus cavity in October of that year. This was Day after the surgery. “It’s 1,000 percent better than I was. I never knew any other way, but now I’m getting good air into my lungs, a lot more oxygen. I can work out harder.” It remains to be seen if Rickie Fowler eventually goes down the same way, but a continuous health problem impacting his game is likely to make him weigh his options.
Is Rickie Fowler Allergic? Exploring His Recurring Health Condition
