Rickie Fowler to Represent Team USA in Olympics

Former OSU golfer Rickie Fowler announced that he will be play for Team USA in the upcoming Rio Olympics. The 27-year-old took time from practicing for the British Open to share the news via Twitter:

Looking forward to wearing some red white and blue in Rio @olympics ?? pic.twitter.com/8bpr5d9iL4

— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) July 10, 2016

Fowler apparently got some pressure on Saturday from the International Golf Federation. This is understandable as golf desperately needed a star with so many of its golfers dropping out because of the Zika virus and a variety of other reasons. Fowler originally qualified along with Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson.

Johnson dropped out though and Spieth is wavering and has yet to formally announce whether he will play. Patrick Reed, American hero that he is, took Johnson’s place. The group is a part of modern golf history, as this is the first time golf has been included in the Olympics since 1904.

And Fowler provides the U.S. with an anchor of sorts for its team.

All male players will compete on August 11-14 on the New Olympic Golf Course, located at the Reserva de Marapendi in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.