Rickie Fowler knows what Arnold Palmer got right, hopes he can do the same as he accepts Arnie Award

ORLANDO — Rickie Fowler accepted the Arnie Award, Golf Digest’s highest honor, on Tuesday at Bay Hill Club with the same humble demeanor that Arnold Palmer himself would have displayed. And Palmer undoubtedly would have given Fowler a trademark thumbs up when the popular PGA Tour veteran promised to carry on Palmer’s legacy of caring for others.

“His legacy continues to live on, something I've tried to at least do my part in helping continue,” Fowler said after accepting the Arnie Award from Golf Digest Editor in Chief Jerry Tarde. “Yeah, there's plenty that'll get passed down. A lot of stuff I've learned from him just by watching how he carried himself, how he interacted, how he treated other people, how he took care of his business and how he went about life.”

This is the 14th year that Golf Digest has presented the Arnie Award, which recognizes a golfer who distinguishes himself by giving back.

“Bobby Jones stood for sportsmanship and Ben Hogan was known for his dedication to excellence. Tiger and Jack for winning, but Arnold stood taller than all the rest for the spirit that he brought to the game,” Tarde said during the brief ceremony just outside Palmer’s office at Bay Hill. “Not just his style, but his sense of kindness. Such an important word in our world today. He brought a sense of caring, whether it was a word of encouragement, a letter to a young golfer or just stopping and talking to people in the game. He had a care about them that meant so much. And that is the enduring spirit that we try to honor because we think it's such a part of the game of golf.”

Tarde said that Fowler, who once won a junior tournament at Bay Hill, “has that same sense of caring, especially for young people. As we know, Arnold was very charitable, philanthropic. His family continues to be, and they've been involved with many things, but the common denominator has been young people. And there's nobody who reaches out to all of us, but especially young people like Rickie Fowler this day.”

Amy Saunders, Palmer’s daughter, said that Fowler was an obvious choice not only for what he has done for golf but also for what he has meant to Arnold and the tournament. Fowler has played in the event 13 times previously and served as an honorary tournament ambassador and co-host in 2018. He returns after failing to qualify for the event in 2025. His best finish came in 2013 when he tied for third.

Fowler, 37, said it wasn’t difficult to foster a relationship with one of the game’s legends. “He was someone that was always just there, wanted to talk, hang out, help, grab a drink in the bar at Bay Hill. He was someone that was fun to be around,” he said. “So for someone to be that big of an impact in the game of golf in the world, but to also just be a husband, a grandpa, a dad, he was a normal, amazing guy.”

As for connecting with young people in a manner reminiscent with Palmer, Fowler maintains that it wasn’t something that he made up his mind to accomplish. It’s simply a part of who he is, something of importance that Palmer emphasized in both word and deed.

“It's not necessarily going out and doing anything above and beyond; it has to be organic and genuine,” Fowler said. “People can, especially younger kids … I feel like can see right through if someone's being real or fake. Arnold was real. So that was a big thing for me. That's the only way I've been able to explain when people ask, ‘Why do kids seem to really like you or why do you have so many kids that are fans?’ We didn't try and do anything. I think a big part of it was just being who I was, being genuine.”

Fowler promised to display the Arnie Award prominently in his Florida home. “It means as much to me as any of my wins,” he said.

And that’s another reason why he won it.