Golf is usually a sport of quiet etiquette and polite applause. But every now and then, a single frame captures a vibe so relatable it breaks the internet. If you've ever spent five minutes on social media during a major tournament, you’ve likely seen it.
The image is legendary. It’s 2016. The U.S. team has just reclaimed the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National. Bubba Watson is locked in a passionate kiss with his wife. Phil Mickelson is doing the same. Dustin Johnson? Same story. In the middle of this sea of romantic victory, there stands Rickie Fowler.
He’s looking straight at the camera. He’s shrugging. He’s completely, hilariously alone.
That rickie fowler wife famous photo—or rather, the "pre-wife" photo—became the ultimate bachelor meme. It wasn't just a sports moment; it was a "me in real life" moment for millions of people. But the story didn’t end with a lonely shrug. Honestly, what happened next is way better than the meme itself.
Why That 2016 Ryder Cup Shrug Went Nuclear
To understand why that photo still pops up in your feed, you have to remember the context of 2016. The American team was under massive pressure to win. When they finally did, the release of emotion was intense.
Photographer Scott Halleran was there to capture the "WAGs" (Wives and Girlfriends) celebrating with the team. As the couples paired off for the cameras, Rickie found himself as the literal fifteenth wheel. Instead of looking awkward or trying to hide, he leaned into it. He gave that "what can you do?" look that made him an instant icon of the single life.
It was the shrug seen 'round the world.
🔗 Read more: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Enter Allison Stokke: The "Internet Famous" Match
Fast forward a bit. Rickie didn't stay the lonely bachelor for long. In 2017, he went public with a new relationship that sent the sports world into another tailspin. He started dating Allison Stokke.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Allison had her own brush with viral fame years earlier—though hers was much more complicated and, frankly, frustrating. As a high school pole vaulter in 2007, a photo of her competing went viral against her will. She became an internet sensation before "going viral" was even a term people used.
She wasn't looking for fame; she was looking to break records. The way she handled that unwanted spotlight actually makes her the perfect partner for someone like Rickie, who lives his life in the public eye.
How They Actually Met
You might think two sports stars would meet at some high-profile gala. Nope. It was way more modern. Rickie actually reached out to her on social media.
"I reached out to her on social media," Fowler later admitted. "It seemed like she was the kind of person that would fit with who I am."
They made their first public appearance at a Moto GP race in Austin, Texas. Fans immediately noticed. The "RickFoundAChick" hashtag started trending, a direct nod to that lonely Ryder Cup photo from a year prior.
💡 You might also like: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
The Redemption Photo: 2018 and Beyond
The internet loves a full-circle moment.
In 2018, before the Masters, the couple participated in the Par 3 Contest. This is the one day at Augusta National where things get relaxed. Family members often act as caddies, wearing the iconic white jumpsuits.
When Allison put on the jumpsuit to caddy for Rickie, the photographers went wild. This was the "new" rickie fowler wife famous photo (though they weren't married just yet). It was the visual proof that the shrug era was officially over.
The Wedding and the Move to Mexico
They didn't rush things. They got engaged in June 2018 (with Rickie's buddy Justin Thomas nearby to witness it) and finally tied the knot in October 2019.
The wedding was supposed to be in the Bahamas, but a hurricane forced a last-minute move to Mexico. It was a small, private affair with fewer than 50 people. For two people who had spent so much of their lives being photographed by strangers, the intimacy was clearly intentional.
From "Single Rickie" to "Girl Dad"
The evolution of Rickie’s public image is pretty wild when you look at the photos side-by-side.
📖 Related: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
- 2016: The Shrug (The Bachelor)
- 2018: The Masters Caddy (The Couple)
- 2021/2024: The Family (The Parents)
Today, the most famous photos of Rickie and Allison usually involve their daughters, Maya and Nellie. In 2024, Maya even got her own tiny white caddie jumpsuit for the Masters.
It’s a stark contrast to that 2016 image. Back then, Rickie was the face of the "single guy at the party." Now, he’s the quintessential family man on tour.
What This Tells Us About Sports Culture
There’s a reason people still search for these photos. We like seeing the human side of athletes. Golf can feel stiff. It can feel like it’s all about swing planes and putting lines.
That shrug broke the fourth wall. It showed a guy who didn't take himself too seriously, even in the middle of a career-defining victory. And the subsequent photos with Allison showed a guy who found exactly what he was looking for.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're looking for that specific rickie fowler wife famous photo to use as a meme or just to relive the moment, here’s how to find the high-res versions:
- The Shrug: Search for "Rickie Fowler Ryder Cup 2016 shrug Getty Images." That’s the original shot by Scott Halleran.
- The Caddie Suit: Look for "Allison Stokke Masters Par 3 2018." These are the photos where she’s in the white jumpsuit.
- The Wedding: Their official Instagram accounts (@rickiefowler and @allisonstokke) hold the best personal shots from their 2019 ceremony in Mexico.
Next time you see a group of people celebrating while one person stands awkwardly in the middle, remember Rickie. Life comes at you fast. One year you're a meme for being single; a few years later, you're caddying with your daughter at Augusta.
The shrug wasn't a sign of being "left behind." It was just the pause before the next chapter started.