Report: Rickie Fowler And Longtime Caddie Split Ahead Of FedEx Cup Playoffs

Rickie Fowler and longtime caddie Joe Skovron have split, according to Golf Channel's Todd Lewis.

The American was the last man in the field for this week's Playoffs curtain raiser in Memphis, Tennessee, and he will now tee it up without the regular looper by his side. Ben Schomin, Tour Operations Manager for Fowler's leading sponsor, Cobra Puma Golf, will reportedly fill the void at TPC Southwind.

Fowler was the number one ranked amateur golfer in the world before he turned professional in 2009. The swashbuckling American's first decision was to appoint Skovron as his caddie. The duo enjoyed a succession partnership, securing five PGA Tour titles, including the flagship Players Championship, alongside two DP World Tour victories. 

Whilst the pair were unable to claim one of the coveted Major titles, in 2014 Fowler became the third player along with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to have finished inside the top-5 in all four Majors in a calendar year - Jordan Spieth became the fourth player just one year later.

Together, the 33-year-old reached a career high 4th in the Official World Golf Ranking, represented the United States at the 2016 Olympic Games as well as four Ryder Cup appearances. 

Without a win since 2019 and following eight missed cuts in 16 PGA Tour starts this calendar year, the American is in the midst of the biggest slump in his career to date. Fowler did not qualify for the US Open or Open Championship, the first time in 11 years he has not competed for the Claret Jug, and finds himself 167th in the Official World Golf Ranking. 

Fowler missed the cut last week at the Wyndham Championship but was dealt a lifeline as 10 players in the top-125 of the FedEx Cup points standings were ruled ineligible after their alliance with LIV Golf. The American will be looking to take full advantage of that and save his PGA Tour career. 

The news of Fowler and Skovron's break-up comes just days after Will Zalatoris announced he had parted ways with Ryan Goble in a decision he described as "the toughest decision I've had to make in my golf career."