The first major tournament of the year sits just over two weeks away and some monumental names in the game of golf still haven’t qualified for the Masters.
Big names like Tony Finau, Shahith Theegala, Joaquin Nieman and Billy Horschel still have work to do to qualify for the tournament which tees off on April 9. However, the biggest name – and one of the most popular golfers in the sport – is Rickie Fowler, who is currently outside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
After missing the Masters from 2021-2023, a resurgent Fowler earned a spot back in 2024 with his win at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. But he failed to qualify for Augusta National in 2025 and is on a similar path right now.
With just two tournaments left to go before the Masters takes center stage, Fowler desperately needs a good result in the Texas Children’s Houston Open this weekend.
“Rickie Fowler is back in Houston this week. A massive week as he will need a Top 5 to qualify for The Masters via Top 50 OWGR. If he fails to do so he’ll have to win Valero. A lot riding on this week! Time for the best golf of the year,” a Rickie Fowler fan account pointed out.
Fowler’s best finish at the Masters came back in 2018 when he finished runner-up to Patrick Reed. In his most recent outing at Augusta National in 2024, the beloved golfer finished in a tie for 30th.
Tee times for the Texas Children’s Houston Open have not been announced as of Monday afternoon.