Rickie Fowler broke strict Masters rule and Augusta official had to tell him twice
Rickie Fowler knows better than anyone else that the Masters is a special tournament with special rules. As the first major of the year begins on Thursday, the world’s best players will also be watching their step, as they fight for a Green Jacket at Augusta. A young Rickie Fowler learned the hard way in 2011 that the Masters has its own set of special rulesGetty Back in 2011, Fowler was a young golfer making his name and blazing a path. He also had a highly unique fashion style, which included matching clothing and hats. But rules are rules at Augusta, and Fowler quickly learned that he had to adapt at golf’s most prestigious event – or else. A then 22-year-old Fowler sat for an interview in the Masters media centre with his classic look, which involved a hat worn backwards. He was quickly asked by an Augusta National member to turn the hat around so that it faced the proper direction. Fowler replied with what seemed like obvious reasoning – he wore his hat backward so people could see his face easier. That didn’t fly at the Masters. Fowler was asked for the second time to turn his hat around. The future six-time PGA Tour winner relented, giving way to the tradition and rules that make the Masters what it is. Dating back to 1934, the Masters has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments. GettyFowler has learned to embrace the Masters in his older age[/caption] The book is still out on Fowler’s fashion style during his early PGA daysGetty Images - Getty But Augusta’s strict approach to rules is equally famous – as talkSPORT’s ‘Voice of Golf’ Bob Bubka knows better than anyone. Reflecting on the Fowler incident, Bubka said: “Having the rules is one thing, having the players rapidly agree to follow the rules is another thing. “Professional golfers, they like doing things their own way. Well, there is no own way. “When you get to Augusta National, there’s only one way and that is the Augusta National way.” Besides no backward-hats in press conferences – autographs, cellphones and cameras are no-nos for the patrons. Running also isn’t allowed, with walking emphasised throughout the course. Fans lucky enough to attend the Masters must behave themselvesGetty Sitting on the lush, green grass is also forbidden. The same for chairs with arm rests. Bubka added: “Where’d you ever hear of a golf tournament where you can’t sit on the grass?” And it’s a steep learning curve, with a previous rookie finding out very quickly. Like Fowler, Talor Gooch fell foul of the hefty and extensive rulebook. Ahead of the 2022 iteration, the American star, now on the LIV Golf tour, went out onto the practice green wearing black shorts. Read more on The Masters All you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverage The favourites for Masters glory this year as stars do battle at Augusta Iconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National Exclusive: ‘You’re not going to believe this’ – I’ve covered The Masters for 40 years and this is the craziest rule golf fans don’t know about Scottie Scheffler speaks out as $108 Masters Champions Dinner decision receives backlash Exclusive: ‘The great disruptor’ – Bryson DeChambeau found his inner MrBeast to become Masters and YouTube fan favorite Exclusive: Nick Faldo hits out at ‘fail-free’ LIV Golf and says guaranteed millions has turned golfers ‘soft’ Sleeper picks to win The Masters include major champion, Scottish lefty and 125/1 shot Check out talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts – welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets* Get 50/1 Rory McIlroy to make at least one birdie on Thursday or 50/1 Rory to make the cut To watch the Masters 2025, sign up to a Sky Sports subscription or read our guide to the best sky sports deals available now (if you click this link and make a purchase we will earn affiliate revenue) Onlookers were understandably a little nervy but eventually Augusta National Co-Head Professional J.J. Weaver put Gooch right. Minutes later black trousers arrived, allowing him to cover up. Most recently, Jason Day was asked to remove a bold Malbon sweater by Augusta officials in 2024. The Aussie also revealed the Green Jackets asked to see his fashion plans for the 2025 event. Day’s vest was the talk of the MastersGetty “If they would have let us do what we first put in the scripting, it would have been a lot crazier than last year,” Day said during an appearance on the Dan on Golf show. “But, you know, it’ll be toned down, just because… they asked to see the scripting before. “I’ve always been pretty neutral and down the middle, and this year they asked because obviously what happened last year.”
Rickie Fowler knows better than anyone else that the Masters is a special tournament with special rules.
As the first major of the year begins on Thursday, the world’s best players will also be watching their step, as they fight for a Green Jacket at Augusta.
Back in 2011, Fowler was a young golfer making his name and blazing a path.
He also had a highly unique fashion style, which included matching clothing and hats.
But rules are rules at Augusta, and Fowler quickly learned that he had to adapt at golf’s most prestigious event – or else.
A then 22-year-old Fowler sat for an interview in the Masters media centre with his classic look, which involved a hat worn backwards.
He was quickly asked by an Augusta National member to turn the hat around so that it faced the proper direction.
Fowler replied with what seemed like obvious reasoning – he wore his hat backward so people could see his face easier.
That didn’t fly at the Masters.
Fowler was asked for the second time to turn his hat around.
The future six-time PGA Tour winner relented, giving way to the tradition and rules that make the Masters what it is.
Dating back to 1934, the Masters has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments.
But Augusta’s strict approach to rules is equally famous – as talkSPORT’s ‘Voice of Golf’ Bob Bubka knows better than anyone.
Reflecting on the Fowler incident, Bubka said: “Having the rules is one thing, having the players rapidly agree to follow the rules is another thing.
“Professional golfers, they like doing things their own way. Well, there is no own way.
“When you get to Augusta National, there’s only one way and that is the Augusta National way.”
Besides no backward-hats in press conferences – autographs, cellphones and cameras are no-nos for the patrons.
Running also isn’t allowed, with walking emphasised throughout the course.
Sitting on the lush, green grass is also forbidden.
The same for chairs with arm rests.
Bubka added: “Where’d you ever hear of a golf tournament where you can’t sit on the grass?”
And it’s a steep learning curve, with a previous rookie finding out very quickly.
Like Fowler, Talor Gooch fell foul of the hefty and extensive rulebook.
Ahead of the 2022 iteration, the American star, now on the LIV Golf tour, went out onto the practice green wearing black shorts.
Read more on The Masters
All you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverage
The favourites for Masters glory this year as stars do battle at Augusta
Iconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National
Exclusive: ‘You’re not going to believe this’ – I’ve covered The Masters for 40 years and this is the craziest rule golf fans don’t know about
Scottie Scheffler speaks out as $108 Masters Champions Dinner decision receives backlash
Exclusive: ‘The great disruptor’ – Bryson DeChambeau found his inner MrBeast to become Masters and YouTube fan favorite
Exclusive: Nick Faldo hits out at ‘fail-free’ LIV Golf and says guaranteed millions has turned golfers ‘soft’
Sleeper picks to win The Masters include major champion, Scottish lefty and 125/1 shot
Check out talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts – welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*
Get 50/1 Rory McIlroy to make at least one birdie on Thursday or 50/1 Rory to make the cut
To watch the Masters 2025, sign up to a Sky Sports subscription or read our guide to the best sky sports deals available now (if you click this link and make a purchase we will earn affiliate revenue)
Onlookers were understandably a little nervy but eventually Augusta National Co-Head Professional J.J. Weaver put Gooch right.
Minutes later black trousers arrived, allowing him to cover up.
Most recently, Jason Day was asked to remove a bold Malbon sweater by Augusta officials in 2024.
The Aussie also revealed the Green Jackets asked to see his fashion plans for the 2025 event.
“If they would have let us do what we first put in the scripting, it would have been a lot crazier than last year,” Day said during an appearance on the Dan on Golf show.
“But, you know, it’ll be toned down, just because… they asked to see the scripting before.
“I’ve always been pretty neutral and down the middle, and this year they asked because obviously what happened last year.”
