Despite Massive Japanese Support Rickie Fowler’s 3-Word Confession Pulls Him Away From His Roots

Although Rickie Fowler was born in Murrita, Florida, the 6-time PGA Tour winner has a fairly diverse ethnic background. As he plays at the 2024 ZOZO Championship in Chiba, Japan, Fowler shared how good it would be to win at the ACCORDIA Golf Narashino Golf Club. After the second round’s conclusion, the 35-year-old was asked about his round at the press conference and also how would it be to win in Japan.

He gleefully responded, “It would be amazing to win here.” After all, it would be his first victory in more than a year and his first top-10 finish in the 2024 season. Fowler came close to winning the ZOZO Championship in 2022, but Keegan Bradley took the baton that year. However, the 35-year-old is aiming for the trophy once again. And it is because of his family roots in Japan.

Talking about his connection to the country, Fowler said, “Have to go back pretty far… Pretty far removed from Japan. I’m sure I have relatives here, but I don’t know anyone.” Furthermore, Fowler revealed that his maternal grandfather was Japanese ethnically but was born in America. His mother, which means Fowler’s great-grandmother, was actually a Japanese native and came to America when she was pretty young.

Although he says he is removed from the Japanese side of his family, Fowler has ‘Yukata’ as his middle name because of his Japanese roots. For many reasons but one, winning at the ZOZO Championship will be quite special and he revealed why he wants to win in front of the Narashino gallery.

Rickie Fowler shares his love for the Japanese people
Coming from a family, where his maternal grandmother was a Navajo Native American and his grandfather was Japanese, Rickie Fowler spent his life adapting both cultures. And living in America, his family always tried to keep him close to his Japanese roots, although they had lost contact with their relatives in the country. At the press conference, Fowler revealed how Japanese culture has been a big part of his life.

He further complimented the residence of the Land of the Rising Sun and said, “I always love being over here. They’re amazing people to be around, so respectful, polite, and have a great energy out here on the golf course.” After two rounds, the 6-time PGA Tour winner is T7 on the leaderboard and for the first time in the season has a chance of winning the event.

With this great chance in sight and the support he gets at the ZOZO Championship, Fowler opined, “It would be a lot of fun to have the chance to win in front of them.” Will the 35-year-old be able to capitalize in the last two rounds and finally emerge victorious? It remains to be seen.