Rickie Fowler drops amusing Hideki Matsuyama comment over cancelled PGA Tour event

Rickie Fowler says he remembers the 2020 Players Championship because he 'played like s---t' and got paid the same amount of money as early leader Hideki Matsuyama. 

Matsuyama held a two-shot lead after round one of the flagship PGA Tour event but concerns about the coronavirus were spreading, given the WHO confirmed a global pandemic one day before the tournament. 

The PGA Tour released a statement after the first round was complete saying that spectators would not be permitted to enter over the remaining three days. 

But a matter of hours after that statement was released, the North American circuit abandoned the tournament entirely. 

"We have also decided to cancel all PGA Tour events - across all of our Tours - in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open," the statement added.

Fowler - who carded a second round of 1-under 71 at the 2025 Players - was asked what he remembered about that period where the world began to shut down. 

"Well, it worked out all right because I kind of played like s--- the first round and Hideki I think went out and shot 64 and we got paid the same," the 2019 champion said. 

"So, yeah, I wasn't mad about it."

Fowler added: "JT and I may have had a drink together late that night when we got the text that it was washed and we were done, and we went and packed up the next morning and we didn't know what we were getting into or how long it was going to be, but it was obviously we knew we weren't playing and that was that. 

"Obviously [it was] an odd and interesting year and then going forward from there. Hopefully that's the last time we have to deal with that."

In the end, the PGA Tour was shut down for 13 weeks. 

It resumed on June 11, 2020, with the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.

The US PGA Championship, Masters and U.S. Open had to be rescheduled. 

"It was a bummer not being there"

Fowler and Jordan Spieth were two notable absentees from last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Spieth previously admitted he was 'bummed' at not receiving a sponsor's exemption for the signature event at Bay Hill but told reporters after the Cognizant Classic that he just needed to play better.

The fact tournament organisers opted not to offer Fowler a spot in the field was also a tad surprising, given his ties to the late golf legend. 

Fowler said he is not playing with 'an extra edge' this week because of the omission. 

"It gave me a little time to be at home and spend some time with the family and get ready for this week," he said.  

"At the end of the day they're sponsor exemptions; they get to do whatever they want with them. 

"You can argue or say one way or the other, but I need to play better where I'm not asking for invites. 

"Yeah, it was a bummer not being there, but [I] enjoyed some time at home to get ready for the Players."