Despite the lack of success in recent years, Rickie Fowler is still one of the most prominent names in professional golf. Fans love him, and his popularity helps draw in spectators. Having finally made the field for a major this year without an exemption, Fowler is excited to play in the 2026 PGA Championship. There will be several fans at Aronimink Golf Club to see him. So, such a fan base brings great sponsorship deals for Fowler, and he recently signed with the perfect partner to represent him on the fairway, Tropicana. Fowler joined our representative, Andrew Whitelaw, for an EssentiallySports Exclusive Interview recently. And he had a lot to share about the new deal with the popular beverage brand.

Ladies and gentlemen, a very warm welcome to one of the greatest golfers on the planet, Rickie Fowler. What’s going on, Rickie? How are you doing?

Just hanging out, enjoying the morning. I heard you’re in Malaysia, so you’re enjoying the night over there.

Yeah, I certainly am. I wanted to ask you, you were orange maxing at OSU long before it was a viral trend. And so what made Tropicana the right brand to collaborate with at this point in your career?

Yeah, to me it’s obviously it’s it’s very organic. Both Orange, they’ve been doing it. Tropicana has been doing it a lot longer than I have, but yeah, you would have almost thought this may have come up earlier. But to get something started now, I’m looking forward to the partnership. Yeah, it’s hard to I guess expand too much on it. It’s orange and orange coming together. It just makes sense.

Beautiful marriage. For you at this stage in your career, how do you decide which partnerships work best and what’s worth saying yes to?

I think for me, being in this part versus early on, it’s much more about choosing who I want to be associated with. And you know, in a way, I’m fortunate to have that luxury of being able to pick and choose. So to have someone like Tropicana that wanted to look at a potential partnership, and you know, for me to believe in the company, obviously, the organic fit with both being orange, that’s very easy, but also what they stand for. For me, being, you know, 100% orange juice, no additives.

I feel like in today’s day and age, that’s a kind of big thing people are picking apart. Whether it’s different ingredients or different things like that. So, it’s just a great fit. Not sure why it may have taken so long to be at this part of my career to have Orange and Orange come together, but like I said, excited to start the partnership. And yeah, it just makes sense.

As a tour veteran and a dad, mornings can be a gauntlet. So, where does the Vitamin C ritual fit into that schedule? And how do you expect this partnership to help you with your game?

Well, luckily, I’ve always loved orange juice. I feel like, yeah, Tropicana has been a staple for me. My kids love basically all juice, but I feel like we try to stick to orange juice in the morning just with the Vitamin C and a little bit of kind of the health benefits, and it’s a better way to kind of kickstart the morning than and then something else. So, I think orange juice has always been a staple in my family, my wife’s family. Luckily, me having my association with orange, and it just all came together.

Let’s talk about the juiced-up beverage cart giveaway. So, if you’re personally customizing a cart for your home course, what’s one Rickie Fowler touch that has to be on there?

I think you have to have a good or decent sound system, but with this juiced-up beverage cart from Tropicana, I sure hope you like orange. There’s going to be a little bit of orange coming along with it. But a cool little contest giveaway. I think it’s running today, through there’s, I guess, I found out there’s a national mimosa day on May 16th. So, there are about 12 days for this contest to run. The lucky winner is going to walk away or drive away with a pretty cool, fun, juiced-up golf cart.

Perfect. And if you had to describe your career in one flavor of Tropicana, what would it be and why?

Well, it’s been orange. Typically, just once a week on my end, when wearing it. I’m definitely drinking orange or drop a can of much more than once a day a week. So I think it’s pretty simple, or people are going to see that, you know, hey, I get why this all came together. It’s orange and orange. So yeah, I’m excited.

We’ll wrap up with a quick fire. The great divider. Pulp or no pulp?

Unfortunately, I’m not going to be a good decision-maker here for you. I drink it both ways. But I drink. I prefer orange juice over ice. That might ruffle some people’s feathers, but that’s for me.

(What’s the) Best snack to pair with a cold OJ at the turn? (?)

Well, on course for me, my go-to snack of the turn is a peanut butter and banana sandwich. So, I’ll just stick with that and wash it down with Tropicana.

I like it. If you could share a Tropicana with any legend in golf history, who would it be?

I would go to Ben Hogan. He was my coach growing up. Was a big fan of Hogan. Obviously, never got to meet or spend time around Hogan, but he’s been someone that you know has been. Yeah, I would love to just have a glass, chop can, or go play some golf with.

(What’s the) One word to describe the energy of a juiced-up Sunday. (?)

Electric.

Who’s the best-dressed player on tour?

I’ll go with Adam Scott.

How do you keep your mind fresh when the pressure is on?

Perspective. Feel like being able to have an understanding of everything’s going to be okay. Especially when you’re out there on the golf course, not like you have someone that’s coming to try and hit you, or you’re not running a route over the middle. And then being able to think about whether it’s my family or maybe friends that are dealing with worse things, or health things, or things like that. Just having, I don’t know, that perspective to kind of help ease the mind and relax a little bit.

Who’s the greatest character in the locker room?

There are quite a few. I feel like maybe some things that people wouldn’t expect, just because that’s our safe space. Characters. I feel like you’d almost maybe go more towards Caddies in that way. But I’m going to throw Jason Day in there.

Nice. And for you, who was your GOAT growing up?

Tiger (Woods).

Yeah. I mean, 99% of people I speak to, that’s the answer from this generation. Who’s got the biggest X factor for you? This generation.

Currently, a lot of people would say Scottie (Scheffler) is just on a tear. I would say over a generation. I’m gonna give it to Rory (McIlroy).

It’s got to be right. And for you, what is the ethos of the American golf team? What is the biggest defining characteristic for you guys?

Defining characteristic. I feel like we’re all, I mean, we’re all like good buddies or best friends. I feel like sometimes people take that and spin it as if it’s a negative thing for the team. But I would almost argue that over the last 10, 20 years, they’ve been some of the closest groups of guys versus the past. I wasn’t on those teams way back when, but I feel like the camaraderie, the friendships, and the closeness of the teams have continued to get even tighter and tighter.

Who’s got the most beautiful swing right now?

Most beautiful swing. Gosh, I need a lineup and to go through. I’ve always been a big fan of Tommy Fleetwood’s swing.

Nowadays, kids are defined by moments, right? They watch TikTok. I don’t know about your kids. What moment do you want to be remembered for?

One of the biggest moments for me on the course was the PLAYERS Championship in 2015. That’s something that I’ll always remember. I think one of the more special moments for me was winning the Arnold Palmer award a couple of months ago. That’s one to me that that sums up a lot more than just playing well on the golf course. So that would be my pick right now.

And finally, what would be your bucket list course? It’s got to be a course you’re yet to play that that’s got to be done.

There’s a handful. I’ve only been able to play, you know, so much kind of recreational golf around the world outside of, you know, tournament golf. I haven’t been to like a place like Bandon Band and Dunes, uh, Teriti down in New Zealand. I love Lynx Golf. There’s a lot of places in Ireland and Scotland that I’d still want to go play. Unfortunately, some of those aren’t easy to get to. They’re a ways away. But yeah, hopefully be able to knock some off, but those are just a couple. But there’s a lot around the world I want to get to.