5 Reasons Rickie Fowler Is Ready to Take over the United States' Golf Scene

Rickie Fowler is beginning to figure out how to be successful on the PGA Tour, and the rest of the golf world better take notice.

Fowler is coming off a win at the Wells Fargo Championship and a second-place tie at The Players Championship in the last two weeks.

His win at Quail Hollow was the first in his career, but it won't be his last.

Fowler is just 23 years old, but he is emerging as a serious contender in every tournament he enters. His 2012 season started up and down, but recently, Fowler turned up his game.

In his last five tournaments, he has three top-10 finishes, a decent showing at the Masters and one missed cut.

Figuring out how to win a tournament was a major step in the growth of Fowler's game. Now that he's done that, he should be able to use that experience for future success.

1. Closer Mentality

The major reason Fowler is going to be a factor in the coming years is that he seems to know how to close.

He's shown the ability to make clutch shots and putts at the end of tournaments.

On Sunday, he birdied the 16th after nearly chipping in for eagle. He followed that with a shot on 17 that was a couple feet away from catching the slope and being within five feet.

Left with a tricky downhill putt, Fowler buried it in the center of the cup. On 18, he hit a great approach shot but missed the putt.

Those three holes are considered one of the toughest stretches in all of golf.

He's had his moments at other tournaments, which revealed his ability to play in the clutch.

At Quail Hollow on the first playoff hole, he hit an unbelievable approach shot within five feet to defeat Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points.

He birdied his last four holes in a 2010 Ryder Cup match against Edoardo Molinari to give the USA a half-point. He was just a rookie in 2010.

Fowler shows amazing poise for such a young player. Johnny Miller said it best during the telecast on Sunday. He just has the "it" factor about him.

2. Ball Striking

Fowler has a unique swing that has a quick tempo, but when he's in a rhythm, he has an above average ability to hit the ball far and accurate.

He doesn't jump out of the page in any of the categories. Fowler is 31st in driving distance and 40th in driving accuracy.

However, Fowler is ahead of Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and McIlroy in driving accuracy, and he's ahead of Westwood, Mickelson and Luke Donald in driving distance.

Fowler is also solid at hitting greens in regulation, as he's 27th on tour.

He doesn't have elite driving ability in the categories but does have above average ability in all, which allows him to play good golf.

Like most golfers, Fowler needs to become more consistent as a ball-striker. It will take a little bit more time, but he's improving and will get better.

3. Experience

It's unusual to say that a 23-year-old golfer's experience is a reason why he's set to take over the U.S. golf scene.

However, Fowler has been in pressure-packed moments, which will only help him moving forward this season and further in his career.

The biggest stage he's been on is the aforementioned 2010 Ryder Cup.

As a rookie, Fowler didn't blink and succeeded in the pressured situation. That success will give him confidence as he moves forward in his career.

The stage doesn't get much bigger than the Ryder Cup, so Fowler knows he can handle the biggest stages.

That confidence helped him a week ago at Quail Hollow in the playoff against the No. 1 golfer in the world.

He's got a cool personality which suits him perfect for the pressure situations that consistently arise in golf.

4. Hot Streak

Fowler has shown an amazing ability to get hot and rattle off multiple birdies.

In the third round this weekend, he had a stretch where he birdied three of four holes, then he birdied three straight en route to a 66.

His fourth round didn't get off to a great start, but he rallied to birdie four holes on the back nine to get back in contention momentarily.

In his win at Wells Fargo he birdied holes 5, 7 and 8 in the second, third and final rounds.

And of course, his most famous hot streak came at the Ryder Cup on the final four holes.

He is a good putter but needs to get more consistent. It costs him at times. Then again, what 23-year-old doesn't need to improve their putting?

Fowler has demonstrated he has a unique ability to score low in bunches. Because of that, he is never out of a tournament.

5. Competition

The competition on the PGA Tour is stiff now, but Fowler is the rising American star.

Woods' best days are behind him, and Mickelson isn't getting any younger. Bubba Watson and Hunter Mahan could be potential American stars, but Fowler has youth in his favor.

Fowler has the opportunity in front of him to take over the American golfing scene. His best days are ahead of him.

To become the top American golfer he's going to have to win a major. Winning a tournament coupled with his performance at the Ryder Cup are both part of a great start, but it's not enough.

He's quickly becoming one of the more popular guys on tour. The younger generation is enamored with his style, personality and play.

Just about every week there is a fan in the gallery that dresses top to bottom in Fowler's signature Sunday orange wardrobe.

The youth of Fowler makes him a prime candidate to be a future star in American golf.

That combined with his talent and mental make-up will be what puts him over the top as a star in the United States.