Rickie Fowler did not disappoint by blaming anyone but himself when discussing the decision by the organizers of the Arnold Palmer Invitational not to extend him a sponsor's exemption.Fowler took full responsibility for the matter and admitted that if he had had better results last season, he would be in a much better position heading into the season's bigger events.Fowler spoke on the subject while talking to the press after the second round of the Cognizant Classic. The 36-year-old explained that he feels very fortunate to have played in two of the first three Signature Events of the season."At the end of the day, play better," Fowler told the media. "It would be a lot easier just having played well last year and earned my way into these events. Been very fortunate and very thankful to Steve John at Pebble and AT&T to get a spot there and Tiger and Genesis to get the one at Torrey. But it's tough to try and get all of them. Being able to get some of them is great."However, Fowler has not given up on playing at Bay Hill next week. He is hoping for a great result at the Cognizant Classic that will earn him a spot in the field for the fourth Signature event of the season:"Yeah, it is what it is. Like I said, at the end of the day, play well and that'll take care of it. Obviously I'm bummed that I won't be there next week. It's a special event, and obviously I had a very special relationship with Mr. Palmer. But we'll see. We'll see if we can get a trophy this week, and that would take care of that."After the first 36 holes of the Cognizant Classic, Rickie Fowler is in good position to contend for the title as he sits in a tie for seventh place, just three shots behind leader Jake Knapp.A win would qualify him directly for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, while a strong finish could also punch his ticket through the Aon Swing 5 system, which rewards players with the most FedEx Cup points between signature events, unless otherwise exempt.During the second round at PGA National, Fowler had six birdies, one bogey and a double bogey on the par-3, 185-yard 15th hole. The latter was one of his few complications of the round, as he sent his tee shot into the water and then missed a 15-foot putt for bogey.More Golf: Annika Sorenstam Supports Former Pac-12 Commissioner to Lead LPGA