Ryder Cup: Rickie Fowler ready for action but it's his hairstyle not his golf ... ~ New Hair Model

Ryder Cup: Rickie Fowler ready for action but it's his hairstyle not his golf ...

American who finished in the top 5 of all this year's Majors is amazed by the amount of publicity having 'USA' shaved into the side of his head this week has brought

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Shorn in the USA: Fowler's team-mates love his patriotic hairstyle

Rickie Fowler is looking forward to more close shaves with Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup after setting a new trend in patriotic hairstyles.

The American idol proudly displayed the 'USA' he had cut into the side of his head before arriving in Scotland.

And the 25-year-old, who finished in the top five in all four Majors this year, admitted even he had been shocked by the worldwide reaction since arriving for this weekend's Gleneagles showpiece.

'It's gone a bit crazier than I expected,' said Fowler. 'I just thought I would do it for a little team spirit and knew the guys on the team would like it.

'It's been fun to see the reaction of the fans and people, social media, guys on the European squad and caddies over there, as well.

'I know I've seen pictures of people back home getting a similar haircut. I've seen a few pictures a couple people posted on Instagram. I saw one guy that got an 'EU' on the side of his head.

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American dream: Fowler and co pose for their official Ryder Cup 2014 photo

'So it works both ways. You've got to show some patriotism and spirit for your country.'

Fowler showed that at Royal Liverpool in July, when his first reaction to finishing runner-up to McIlroy at the Open was 'Ryder Cup' as he sealed qualification.

The Californian was the youngest ever US Ryder Cup wildcard pick in 2010, where he fought back from three down to half with Edoardo Molinari in the singles by birdieing the final three holes.

'My ultimate goal for the year was to be on the team,' he said.

'So to take care of that at the Open was a great weight off my shoulders. I have never experienced anything like playing at Celtic Manor.'

Fowler played in the final group with McIlroy at the Open - and also finished tied-third behind the Ulsterman at the US PGA last month.

The pair are close mates, after first striking up a friendship at the 2007 Walker Cup. They now live just a few miles from one another in Florida.

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Frenemies: Fowler and Rory McIlroy are close pals and Florida neighbours

And Fowler said he wanted to return to the Royal County Down course that staged the amateur version of the Ryder Cup for next year's Irish Open, which is being hosted by McIlroy.

But first he wants to end his great season with a Ryder Cup victory.

'It has been fun playing against him,' he said of McIlroy. 'He has got the better of me for the most part but I am looking forward to playing against him for a long time.

'This won't be the last Ryder Cup where we are going at it. There's definitely the possibility of him and I being able to create something and play against each other for a long time.

'He's been the best player in the world, definitely, this summer. And I'm looking forward to getting some wins and see if I can chase him down a bit. We have 20-25 years to go back and forth against each other.

'We want to beat each other as bad as possible but we are good buddies.

'I enjoy seeing him play well and I know he enjoys seeing me play well. ut when we get together, we want to beat each other, especially this week. We want the other guy to play well but we want to be one shot better.'

At 25, and with the golfing world at his feet, the Ulsterman seems confident, composed and even cocksure as showdown with the USA looms, writes Oliver Holt