Fowler tops Woods in Fiesta Bowl college football rivalry

Rickie Fowler may still be in search of his first PGA Tour win, but the 23-year-old won bragging rights over 71-time tour champ Tiger Woods after his Oklahoma State football team took down Woods’ Stanford Cardinal in Monday night’s Fiesta Bowl.

"Victory is sweet," @rickiefowlerpga tweeted after the Cowboys squeaked by Stanford, 41-38, in overtime following Jordan Williamson’s missed field goals as time ran out in regulation and in OT. "...what a game...my boys hung in there and found a way to win...the gifts helped though...a win is a win!!"

Honorary captain Tiger Woods looks on during coin toss prior to Monday night's Fiesta Bowl between Stanford and Oklahoma State (Photo: Matt York/AP)

Woods, who was honorary captain for his alma mater as was Fowler for his, maintained Twitter silence following the loss but told the Associated Press earlier this week he was looking forward to a healthy, happy new year.

"The lowest moments [last year] came from the fact that I wasn't healthy and couldn't put in the time on and off the course that I wanted and needed to, and that was frustrating," Woods said. "I was playing with pain and that isn't fun. The last couple of months have been really fun and that is mostly because I am feeling healthy again and building week on week."

Woods, no doubt, could empathize with Stanford’s kicker after the freshman’s two errant three-point attempts flew wide left. Golf’s former No. 1, who seemed at the end of last season to have mastered his new swing, has had his share of snapped duck hooks while overhauling his game under the tutelage of Sean Foley.

Stanford, by the way, could not take advantage of the presence of another top golfer pacing the sidelines. LPGA Tour star Michelle Wie was decked out in the full Cardinal -- red Stanford tee-shirt and white baseball cap sporting a sparkling red S.

"LOVING THE SEA OF CARDINAL!!!" @themichellewie tweeted before her team went down to defeat.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, the 22-year-old, who is finishing up her final year in Palo Alto, retweeted a message from the football squad that could have reflected her own sentiments about the finish (a T12 at the Dubai Ladies Masters) to her golf year: 
"Hat tip to OK State on the win," chirped @StanfordFball. "Not how we wanted to end, but a fine season nonetheless."