Rickie Fowler is thinking about taking a European Tour spot...

http://www.espn.co.uk/golf/story/_/id/12995632/rickie-fowler-take-european-tour-spot-hunt-major-success

It could just be cloud talk, but Fowler is looking at ways to stay fresh for the majors...

Would this approach have a negative, long term effect on a player's "brand"?  I could see passionate fans moving on from a player if he skips their local tournament to focus on someone else's.

Well, I can see  something of a dichotomy with this. On one hand he states to be playing less events, but then wants to play the Euro tour.

He wants to now focus on the majors, but playing overseas IMO, would not be that beneficial for majors tuneups.On the other hand though, playing in Europe most likely would be less of a strain with dealing with fans and the media. It all boils down to how much focus and determination he wants to expend. I think he feels like the players was / is a major caliber event in some ways and he wants to use that as a springboard towards the given majors. We'll just have to wait and see what transpires.

I think he'd like to leverage his "brand" internationally while he's still in a position to do so.  Puma has a much greater presence in Europe than they do in the states and are probably pushing / encouraging him to expand his reach as well.

He's a young, good looking guy who seems to have a bright future in golf ahead of him.  If he wants a Tiger like deal from Puma his best shot would be to increase his popularity in Europe.

Had no idea. This is probably it. He may be getting a big bonus for playing across the pond.

Didn't think of that aspect, you could be correct. I'd like to think though, that his focus would be more on golf than the endorsement side, but who knows. Either way, I like to watch him play and hope he gets it done in one or more of the majors.

That makes sense.  I didn't know Puma had such a presence in Europe.

May be he wants to chase those appearance fees which is forbidden in the PGA.

Puma is a German company, founded by Rudolf Dassler. His brother Adolf founded Adidas, I guess Puma is a better name than Rudidas! They were actually one company until the brothers fell out and still operate out of the same city.

wish more Americans would play the Euro tour - I lived in Germany in the 1990s and Zinger, Payne, Corey, DLIII and other PGA pros would make it over on a regular basis and not for just the Open or the event preceding the Open........I believe they received appearance money though......

I think it's to their benefit to play more in Europe to prepare them for The Open and poor weather conditions in the states.

You think playing around the world helps sell Puma gear as well?

I would think having Fowler in Europe would help sell more Puma golf gear.  Fowler has good fan demographics so if he was on their Tour I'd think the fans there would root for him and want to wear more Puma gear.  I really don't know how entrenched Puma golf gear is in Europe, but having someone like Fowler representing Puma couldn't hurt.

Puma is very big in Europe an I think with him become more of a worldwide athlete that would improve their brand more -  and his endorsement income - but might also return him to the overrated title if he doesn't win overseas.