Rickie Fowler heckled during first round of The Open: "You coward!"

Rickie Fowler wasn't happy with a spectator who heckled him during the first round of the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

Ben Smith

20 Jul 2023

Rickie Fowler heckled during first round of The Open:

Rickie Fowler wasn't happy with a fan who called him 'a coward' during the first round of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

The moment was captured on video and you can see a young chap (perhaps who had drunk one too many beers) confronting the American.

Said person asked of Fowler: "What happened to the 49ers investment?" They then added: "Come on, Leeds! You coward!"

The man is referring to Fowler pulling out of putting some of his money into Leeds United Football Club.

It was recently confirmed 49ers Enterprises had completed the takeover of the relegated football club.

The deal brought an end to Andrea Radrizzani's six-year reign as owner at Elland Road with his 56 per cent stake being bought.

Fowler was keen on buying a stake in the club through 49ers Enterprises along with Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Watch the clip here:

Rickie Fowler not happy with a spectator calling him out after pulling plug on 49 er’s deal ! pic.twitter.com/O2SrVdr3hY
— Liam Marshall (@_LiamMarshall) July 20, 2023

Spieth previously told Sky Sports:

"I think he [Fowler] decided once they were relegated against it.

"Relegation wasn't ideal. But we got involved with the 49ers group who were purchasing a larger share to own Leeds United.

"They do the stuff they do so successfully everywhere else they've touched and thought it would be a really cool opportunity. It's a big city, historic club, great venue Elland Road. When you start to look into it, it was really exciting.

"With relegation we were able to renegotiate and then we got to decide if we wanted to do it or not. It was never really a decision, we wanted to do it, it just ended up being possibly a better deal as long as they can get promoted soon."

After posting an opening 72, Fowler told No Laying Up's Kevin Van Vulkenberg: "That's a first. Maybe he should put up his own money."

Chatted with Rickie Fowler after his round. Asked him about being heckled by a fan, something he believed was a first. "He called me a coward for not going through with my Leeds investment," Fowler said. "That's a first. Maybe he should put up his own money."
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) July 20, 2023