Fowler Helps Military Dad Surprise Kids

At the Quicken Loans National during the Wednesday pro-am, Rickie Fowler helped Sergeant First Class Bryane Greene surprise his kids on the 18th green. Greene had been gone for three and a half years in Afghanistan and Kuwait, and his kids, Zshanea and Bryane Green, Jr., had no idea he was there.

Greene caddied for Fowler for the last two holes before a teary embrace at the last.

Grab the tissues! Today at @QLNational, we gave this military family a homecoming to remember.#DeclareYourDay ⛳ @PGATOUR ? @RickieFowler pic.twitter.com/QsEJiKev2C

— Quicken Loans (@QuickenLoans) June 28, 2017

“Hey guys, I found someone …” said Fowler as they walked off the 18th green. Sounds like he’s been taking acting tips from Mike Gundy. Oh hey, I didn’t see you there …

“I kinda had to put it in mission standpoint as far as just try to keep calm and cool and not let my emotions get to me, but being a dad you can’t help it” said Greene. “All it took was … eye contact, and that was pretty much it for me.”

Pretty cool stuff from a tournament intent on giving back to the military — the Quicken Loans National is hosted by the Tiger Woods Foundation, and Woods has always been big on honoring the military. The tournament gives over 30,000 (!) complimentary tickets to members of the military every year.

“It was really cool,” said Fowler in his pre-tournament presser. “I told him I was nervous on the tee shot. I was like, ‘I’ve got to hit one good for you and get the hole started at least in the right direction, and then same thing into the green. I’m like, I want to make sure they think you’re a good caddie, at least hit the green and keep it fun for the both of us.’

“I think everyone’s seen a lot of homecoming videos, and if you don’t get teary-eyed at least, then there’s something wrong with you. And having that feeling coming down the fairway, walking to the green, sharing that moment with him and being able to see him share that special moment with his kids behind the 18th green is definitely something I’ll never forget.”