Rickie Fowler was a sensation on Day 1 of the 2023 U.S. Open, setting a record for the event by shooting a 62, and he continues to look like a completely different golfer after a rough few years.
Armed with a new putter and restored confidence, Fowler is trying to get back to his early-career success, which included a top-five finish in all four majors in 2014. If he can win the U.S. Open and claim his first major title, Fowler's comeback would be among golf's best stories in recent memory.
Whether or not he pulls out the win, Fowler is one half of one of sports' biggest power couples. Fowler is married to pole vaulter Allison Stokke, who has a large social media following of her own.
MORE: Complete major championship history for Rickie Fowler
Here's a closer look at Fowler and Stokke's relationship timeline.
Rickie Fowler-Allison Stokke relationship timeline
Fowler and Stokke have been together for more than six years. Here's a look at how their relationship came together and when they got married.
2017: Fowler and Stokke start dating
Fowler and Stokke first met through social media, and their first public appearance together came at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas in April 2017.
Fowler later revealed that he was the one who reached out to Stokke on social media. It's fair to say his gamble paid off.
Spring 2017: Fowler and Stokke vacation together in the Bahamas
Fowler went to the Bahamas with fellow golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in 2017, and a throwback Instagram post weeks later revealed Stokke was there as well. This might have been the first indication that Fowler was very serious about a future with Stokke.
April 2018: Stokke serves as Fowler's caddie during the Masters Par 3 Contest
Fowler had a celebrity caddie during the Masters Par 3 Contest in 2018: his future wife. Stokke was able to brighten up the beginning of Masters week for Fowler, complete with a caddie uniform that read "Fowler" on the back.
MORE: How Rickie Fowler's new putter led to career resurgence
June 2018: Fowler and Stokke get engaged
Fowler and Stokke got engaged just before the U.S. Open in 2018.
"Today is National Best Friend Day so I wanted to lock mine down...I WON!!" Fowler said on Instagram when he announced the engagement. Fowler proposed to Stokke on a beach.
Rickie Fowler and Allison Stokke are engaged! On National Best Friend Day! ❤️💍 https://t.co/KmNLqkIzZi pic.twitter.com/vU8Nz8uhof
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 9, 2018
October 2019: Fowler and Stoke get married
Fowler married Stokke in Mexico. It was a picturesque scene, again on the beach. Stokke told Vogue that the wedding was an "amazing night" and the reception lasted until 2 a.m.
Stokke said she and Fowler didn't even cut into the cake until the next morning because of how much was happening during the reception.
Unfortunately, Fowler later revealed that Stokke contracted a bacterial infection at the end of their honeymoon, bringing the trip to a close.
MORE: How Rickie Fowler's new caddie produced instant results
November 2021: Fowler and Stokke welcome their first child
Fowler and Stokke announced the birth of their first child, a daughter named Maya. Fowler already seems to be hoping Maya follows in his footsteps.
Never too early. 👶
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 27, 2022
3-month-old Maya is already a step ahead @AJGAGolf thanks to Dad @RickieFowler. pic.twitter.com/X30fKtUf0V
Allison Stokke track and field career
Stokke was an All-America pole vaulter at the University of California-Berkeley. She first gained recognition in high school, when photos of her in her uniform circulated all around the internet.
This happened in 2007, so she managed to unintentionally go viral before most major social media platforms had gained serious traction. By the time she arrived at Cal, Stokke was somewhat of a celebrity.
Stokke enjoyed a successful career with the Golden Bears, earning All-America and all-academic honors. She fell short of the 2012 Olympics but continued pole vaulting after she graduated until 2017.
Stokke turned her fame into a fitness modeling career, inking deals with Nike and Athleta. Stokke also participated in advertisements for GoPro.
