Rickie Fowler admits his form has been "very tough" to deal with mentally
"It's definitely been very tough mentally just trying to keep pushing forward."
Rickie Fowler admits that his recent form on the PGA Tour has been "very tough" to deal with mentally and that seeing his younger peers win their maiden major titles has "kicked him in the butt a little bit."
It was a lacklustre year for Fowler last season on the PGA Tour which as led to him slipping to 41st in the World Rankings, when at one point in his career he was sitting 4th.
In his last 10 starts, Fowler has not registered a single top 10 finish and has missed four cuts.
This week, the 31-year-old returns to action for the first time since the US Open at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas and speaking to the media ahead of the event, Fowler was asked if doubts have started to creep into his head.
"It definitely has been tough," said Fowler. "Anyone that goes through changes or even just dealing with struggles, low points, it happens at some point for everyone.
"For me, it's just going through changes. Yeah, it's definitely been tough. But, no, I've never doubted it just because there has been some rounds or some tournaments here and there where seeing the work kind of come through.
"Just haven't been able to piece everything together and really put it into a really efficient, consistent form yet. But that is coming. We're just beating down the door.
"Like I said, to have had at least some highlights throughout the year where -- whether it was just a good round where stuff clicked, some tournaments where I was able to get myself up into contention, and just keep beating it down, it's been a fun process.
"But at the same time, it's definitely been very tough mentally just trying to keep pushing forward. You know, I know what I'm capable of. Seeing other guys struggle, I know what they're capable of. But it's part of golf. It's probably the most humbling game out there. Sometimes you just got to keep putting the foot forward, putting the work in, and keep at it."
For many years throughout his twenties, Fowler was tipped to become a major champion and still to this day he is considered one of the best players to have never won a major.
Fowler's American compatriots Collin Morika and Bryson DeChambeau both became major winners for the first time in recent months, with Morikawa winning the PGA Championship aged 23 and DeChambeau claiming the US Open in September just after his 27th birthday.
Seeing his younger peers achieve major success hasn't changed Fowler's mindset, although it has given him a little extra motivation.
"I've always wanted to win a major," he added. "I've had the chances. I've been up there. It is cool to see guys like that win, Bryson being a few years younger and Collin being a few more years younger.
"I enjoy seeing guys play well. You know, when you do win a tournament it gives you that satisfaction knowing that you outplayed everyone that week. So with what I'm going through right now and where I want to be, I don't have any doubt that we'll be right back where we want to, in contention, and having chances to win more tournaments, and especially majors.
"That's the ultimate goal. It is a little added motivation when you do see your peers go out and become a major champion. So, yeah, they've helped maybe kick me in the butt a little bit."
