The opening round of the 2024 PGA Tour season at The Sentry saw Rickie Fowler return with an eventful 3-under 70, featuring a series of highs with eight birdies, contrasted by a few lows like a double-bogey on the par-4 third.
Despite his golfing feats, Fowler's wardrobe choices became the focal point of his round. His white Cobra shirt was noticeably devoid of his familiar Farmers Insurance and Rocket Mortgage logos, indicating some potential seismic shifts in his sponsorship landscape.
Amid speculation about Fowler's sponsorship status, especially considering his absence of branded logos, whispers on social media grew quite loud.
Further fueling the rumor mill, an update from the known Fowler-tracking account RickieLegion on X suggested that the absence of traditional sponsor badges could prelude Fowler skipping the Farmers Insurance Open this year, a startling departure given his consistent participation since 2010.
Not Quite HatGate 2.0
Fowler's choice of headwear also drew attention. Rather than the expected Puma Golf "P," Fowler sported a cap adorned with lush Hawaiian flora and a prominent 'L'. It's not the first time a golfer's cap or lack thereof has caused a stir on social media in the golf world; we all remember what happened at the Ryder Cup.
Addressing the murmurs around the 'L,' the symbol counterintuitively had nothing to do with LIV Golf as some commenters on X had speculated. Instead, the 'L' represented homage to Lahaina, the town on Maui tragically impacted by wildfires last August, courageously symbolizing resilience and hope.
The specialty hat, symbolizing a deep cultural connection to Lahaina, is intricately designed with the Ulu (breadfruit) and the sacred Kihawahine lizard, holding a significance that transcends style, according to Puma. The hat was available for purchase at Puma Golf's website for $40, however, they already appear to be sold out at this time.
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