PGA Tour favourite Rickie Fowler shows true colours with 'classy' gesture ahead of 2025 Players Championship

Popular PGA Tour pro Rickie Fowler was praised by golf fans for speaking at a celebration of life held for legendary reporter Steve DiMeglio ahead of the 2025 Players Championship. 

Tiger Woods was among those to lead the tributes after former USA Today and Golfweek reporter DiMeglio, 63, passed away in January.

DiMeglio, who spent nearly two decades covering the PGA Tour and major championships, was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. 

He bravely documented his journey with the illness on X, which included dozens of rounds of chemotherapy. 

One of the final PGA Tour events he attended was the 2024 Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas. 

DiMeglio, who was known for his close relationship with Woods, was spotted bearhugging the 15-time major champion.

SI's Bob Harig snapped a picture of Fowler speaking at the celebration of life held on 10 March ahead of the Players.

"Rickie's always been a stand-up guy it seems," one X user replied. "I would like to say that through here I met Steve and he was a very courageous fighter and I'm sorry I never got to meet him in person. I'm sure this was a great tribute. Onward."

Another added: "Rickie is a quality human. There are few better sports stars out there."

This person wrote: "Rickie is a great dude and appreciative of all given to him. Not surprised to see him give back."

What Tiger Woods said about Steve DiMeglio

Woods was one of the first to pay tribute to DiMeglio on 1 January. 

"Unfortunately the golf world lost part of our family today, beloved golf writer Steve DiMeglio," he wrote in a statement that was published on his Instagram and X. 

"I was always very close to Steve and we texted and talked about how he needed to keep fighting to get better so we could see each other in the Bahamas last month. And we did. I am so grateful for that. This a very sad day for all of golf. We have truly lost a friend."

The PGA Tour also mourned his passing, describing him 'beloved by players'. 

The 2025 Players Championship gets underway on Thursday. 

Fowler is playing the first two rounds of the unofficial fifth men's major alongside U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Patrick Cantlay. 

Check out the full tee times here.