Rickie Fowler defends his Ryder Cup haircut

The nationalistic statement on the side of Rickie Fowler’s head continues to draw reactions -- positive and negative -- at the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Fowler showed up in Scotland this week with the letters “USA” shaved into the already short hair behind his right ear.

“You’ve got to show some patriotism and spirit for your country,” his said after being asked to remove his cap at a news conference. “I’m excited and it’s going to be a fun week.”

Expressive hair isn’t such a big deal in sports such as football and basketball. In golf, it is nearly unprecedented. European reporters asked Fowler about suggestions that he is too brash for the stately game.

This is, after all, a player known for his wildly colorful outfits.

“I’m not trying to fit in any particular way,” he said. “It’s me being me.”