Joy's ADGC diary: Fowler's popularity continues to grow

Joy Chakravarty 20:41 24/01/2016
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  • It was an eventful week in Abu Dhabi.

    Well, different players have given different reasons for them doing well this week at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

    Here’s a look at some of them…

    Ian Poulter: The Ryder Cup legend, who finished tied 14th, feels he kick started his season in the nicest possible way – by playing a team competition. He was 3-0 in helping Europe beat Asia in the EurAsia Cup last week, and said after his third round: “I think it was nice to get off to a decent week last week, having a bit of fun with the lads. Match play always gets the juices flowing, doesn’t matter who you’re playing. So coming into this week, I felt really good.”

    Joost Luiten: The Dutchman, who was in second place going into the final round before finishing tied fifth, said it was a couple of weeks preparation in Dubai before the tournament that helped him turn around his fortunes. The talented Luiten did not have a single top-10 finish between from the Scottish Open in July to the end of the season in Dubai, and felt the break, followed by the early arrival in the UAE where he could practice in great weather, was the key.

    Richie Ramsay: The Scot is excited about becoming a father next month, and is enjoying every moment of his life armed with a new perspective. Ramsay, who shot 66 on Friday, revealed he is reading a book – ‘Make the Day Count’, by John Maxwell – which has changed the way he thinks. “Reading the book is like hitting the reset button all the time and also looking at things through a slightly different lens,” he said.

    The long and short of it

    It did not take much time for the R&A to endorse the European Tour’s decision to allow the professionals to wear shorts during practice and pro-am rounds – something put in place with this week’s championship.

    The Royal & Ancient said shorts will not be allowed at this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon, but that could change from 2017 onwards.

    “We welcome initiatives that ensure golf remains modern and relevant to today’s generation of players but we do have to maintain a balance with the traditions of the game,” a spokesman for the R&A said.

    “While we already have our conditions of entry for the Open at Royal Troon, this is something the Championship Committee will consider in future.”

    Loving Fowler

    There is no denying it – kids just love Rickie Fowler and you wouldn’t be surprised if he became the most popular golfer of this generation.

    It was no different in Abu Dhabi. There were plenty trying to get his autograph, and of course, there were the mandatory few who’d dress up like him – in the customary orange during the final round – and followed him around the course.

    Kids are also known to ask for memorabilia from the players, from golf balls or gloves, to some players handing over their caps.

    But the most unusual request was on Saturday when a kid asked Fowler: “Can I have your shoes Rickie?”

    He must have noticed the new fashion trend being set by Fowler, who has been wearing high-top golf shoes to kick off 2016.

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