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On the heels of Ricky Fowler’s victory at Sunday’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, perhaps no one was happier than Fowler’s trainer, Butch Harmon, who appeared on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio’s Gravy and the Sleeze, hosted by Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz, on monday.
“It was amazing. I think my anxiety was probably on the same level as it was when he was playing, just because I wanted him so bad,” Harmon said.
“And I’ll be honest with you guys,” Harmon continued. “I think it meant more to me personally than a lot of the majors I’ve won with different guys, just because I know how far Ricky has fallen, and watching him come back, it was a joy to watch.”
Given the many victories and famous stars Harmon has been associated with over the course of his career—Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson, to name a few—Harmon’s words about Fowler carry a lot of weight.
Harmon and Fowler worked together from 2013-2019, when Harmon decided to semi-retire from the Tour teaching mill. Fowler then began working with John Tillery, before reconnecting with Harmon the previous fall.
Harmon told Knost and Stoltz that Fowler’s swing had changed slightly, but that he had a game plan that he was confident would help Fowler. The two live on opposite sides of the country, initially communicating via video, texts, and calls. Harmon’s brother, Craig, is a member of Fowler’s home club in Florida, Medalist Golf Club, and the two have been practicing together so Craig can share his intel with Butch.
Harmon explained that the primary focus of his work with Fowler was getting his swing back into the plane, as Harmon felt Fowler had gone too flat, so the two began changing Fowler’s takeaways.
Golf aside, Harmon said he was also impressed by Fowler’s enthusiasm. Even as the championship got away from him, Fowler continued to persevere.
“He stepped up to the plate and got the job done,” said Harmon. “And that’s what you have to do to prove to yourself that you’re back on top of your game, and I think that’s the thing that impressed me the most.”
Unsurprisingly, Harmon says he’s also optimistic about Fowler’s future, especially given Fowler’s newfound confidence.
He will win again, he said.