Is Rickie Fowler playing in the Masters? Why fan favorite, well-dressed golfer is missing from Augusta

Is Rickie Fowler playing in the Masters? Why fan favorite, well-dressed golfer is missing from Augusta originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's hard to miss Rickie Fowler on a golf course. His colorful outfits often make him easy to spot, whether you're roaming a tournament in person or watching on TV.

That makes his status for the 2026 Masters Tournament particularly conspicuous.

If Fowler was playing, you'd see him, right?

Yep, your intuition is spot on there.

Is Rickie Fowler playing in the Masters?

No, Rickie Fowler isn't playing in the 2026 Masters Tournament.

He didn't qualify for the event.

The 2018 runner-up isn't even in the field in 2026.

Why isn't Rickie Fowler playing in the Masters?

Fowler isn't playing because he didn't meet any of the qualification criteria.

Without a win last year and without ranking in the world's top-50 golfers, he didn't get into the field.

Fowler, 37, has a ninth-place finish in 2026 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but he also missed recent cuts at the Houston Texas Open and the Valero.

He's simply not quite the player he once was, and the Masters will be without his flare.

MORE:Why Phil Mickelson is missing from the Masters