Rickie Fowler (2010 PGA Tour Rookie Of Year) ended speculation about when he’d earn his first PGA Tour victory by making birdie on the Wells Fargo Championship’s first playoff hole. Fowler made a 4-foot birdie putt at Quail Hollow’s 18th hole to defeat Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points.

“It's a good feeling right now,” Fowler said. “Definitely some relief, satisfaction. I'm definitely happy. It's not a bad thing, winning. It's kind of fun.”

Fowler, one of the game’s most colorful characters, now has the trophy to go along with the high expectations. The Wells Fargo was his 72nd PGA Tour start. Fowler earned his first professional victory in late 2011 at the Korea Open, where McIlroy was the runner-up as well. Fowler shot a final-round 69 in Charlotte to finish at 14-under 274.

“I'm probably the one that sticks out most with color,” Fowler said. “Now I'm a PGA Tour winner. So I've got some credibility.”

Fowler tied the lead with an 18-foot birdie putt at No. 12, then took a one-shot lead by two-putting from the fringe for birdie on the par-5 15th. He bogeyed the next hole after finding the fairway and greenside bunkers, but parred the final two holes to get into the playoff.

Fowler, who turned pro in September 2009, had lost in two previous playoffs, at the 2009 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational as an amateur and the 2009 Frys.Com Open. He has four career runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour, most recently at last year’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

McIlroy had one consolation prize: he returned to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, continuing the back-and-forth between he and Luke Donald. McIlroy was seeking to become the first repeat champion in the Wells Fargo Championship’s 10-year history. His first victory at Quail Hollow came after a riveting Sunday 62 in 2010. A 71st-hole bogey kept McIlroy from winning this year. He hit his tee shot well right on the 217-yard, par-3 17th, then missed a delicate 5-foot putt.

“I didn't play the hole that badly,” he said. “I hit a good chip shot and it just came up a little short and left myself a tricky putt.”

McIlroy missed a 16-foot birdie putt on 18 in regulation that also would’ve given him the victory. He shot 70 Sunday.
Golfweek