Rickie Fowler and Leonardo DiCaprio share more than just resemblance

ORLANDO — You watching this Bay Hill tourney? Another necessary second on this thrilling Rickie Fowler comeback tour. Sunday right here is gonna be large. Next Sunday, Sunday of the Players Championshipcan be greater but, what with the Academy Awards being held and all.

Fowler’s shut private good friend and absolute doppelganger (asking for just a little latitude right here, of us), Leonardo DiCaprio, is up for an Oscar on the 98th Academy Awards, being held on the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Fowler is making an attempt to play his manner again to Augusta. If you are prime 50 within the World Golf Ranking on the finish of March, you are in the Masters. Fowler is 67th. A superb end right here and on the Players would do him wonders. Of course, lots of different proficient golfers try to do the identical factor.

It’s not going to be straightforward — not for Leo, not for Rick — however what worthwhile factor ever is? DiCaprio was nominated for his efficiency as Bob Ferguson, a paranoid, weed-smoking, self-styled revolutionary in One Battle After Anothera darkish comedy-thriller-satire directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. But let’s tip the cap right here to his competitors:

Michael B. Jordan in Sinners, and previously Apollo Creed’s son in one of many many stepchildren spawned by the unique Rocky film.

Also (talking of sports activities), Timothée Chalamet, who performs the Ping Pong champ Marty Supreme in Marty Supreme.

Also, rounding out this fivesome, there’s Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon and Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent.

While we’re at it, this is a foursome of super-talents making an attempt to play their manner into the 2026 Masters: Tom Kim, Joaquin Niemann, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris.

So, yeah.

Could Michael B. Jordan play Tiger E. Woods in a Tiger Woods biopic? The actor just isn’t a golfer, however in fact he might. Michael B. Jordan might play anyone — he is that good. Could Ethan Hawke play Russell Henley in a Russell Henley biopic? Ab-so-lute-ly. (While we’re at it, and they had been as soon as on the identical celebration on the identical time and it did truly create just a little confusion, regardless of the age distinction: Nick Faldo and Harrison Ford. Ford obtained a kind of business lifetime achievement awards the opposite day and concluded his remarks by saying of the accolade, “It’s encouraging.” He’s 83.)

But it is unlikely that Tiger has ever been requested if he’s Michael B. Jordan. It’s even more unlikely that Russell Henley has ever been requested if he’s Ethan Hawke. But individuals have truly requested Rickie Fowler, 37 years outdated and a six-time winner on the PGA Tour, if he’s, actually, Leonardo DiCaprio, 51 years outdated and a six-time Oscar nominee (and one-time winner) within the Best Actor class.

“I’ve gotten that a handful of times from people, that there’s a little resemblance there,” Fowler stated on Friday. “I definitely take it as a compliment, not a bad one to have.”

Absolutely. It’s their hair and broad foreheads, their slim eyes stuffed with life — and their impish, chill method. As there actually was one thing about Mary (Cameron Diaz) in Something about Marythere’s something about Rick, and there’s something about Leo. It’s been a pleasure to observe Fowler play his ready-to-play golf on Tour for more than 16 years now. Ditto for DiCaprio’s performances, for many years now

The actor and golfer have met as soon as, by way of Mike Meldman, the real-estate developer behind the Discovery golf properties. This was in Mexico, in Cabo San Lucas, on the El Dorado Golf & Beach Club, a Discovery Land Company property.

“I was just down there on vacation,” Fowler stated. “He was down there as well. We were over at a house [owned] by a good friend of mine, Mike Meldman, at El Dorado. Just hanging out, maybe having a couple beers or cocktails, but nothing crazy.”

Fowler was asked if he mentioned to the actor that he is sometimes mistaken for him.

“No,” Fowler said in his boyish way. “I didn’t want to bring that up.”

Meldman has his own take on the visit:

“I will just say they got along great as they are both stars.”

Michael Bamberger welcomes your comments at Michael.Bamberger@Golf.com