Born and raised in Murrieta, California, where he grew up practicing at the Murrieta Valley Golf Range. Got his start in golf when his maternal grandfather, Yutaka Tanaka, wanted to learn how to play and took young Rickie (between two and three years old at the time) to the driving range with him.

Developed his game at Murrieta Valley Golf Range under the tutelage of Barry McDonnell, as he hit countless balls under the shade of a pepper tree they referred to as the Hogan Tree. Rickie's first tattoo (on the inside of his left wrist) was McDonnell's signature. McDonnell passed away in May 2011 at the age of 75.

Purchased Murrieta Valley Golf Range in 2023, saying of the acquisition, "I always wanted the range to be around and to be open for the next generation. I wanted kids to have the same opportunity as me if they were interested."

Rode BMX bikes and raced dirt bikes throughout his youth; he and his father, Rod, used to race bikes together. Rod also raced quads and three-wheelers professionally, most notably winning the 1986 Baja 1000. Mother, Lynn, and younger sister, Taylor, also rode, with Lynn winning a 24-hour mountain bike race in Idyllwild, California as part of a five-woman team in the early 2000s. Rickie had friends who went on to race professionally, and said his own skills were "scratch" level, in golf terms, though, he gave up riding almost entirely as a freshman in high school after an accident left him with three broken bones in his foot.

Inducted into the Oklahoma State University Hall of Honor in September 2023. Other notable inductees include Pro Football Hall of Fame members Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas, Olympic gold medalist and two-time MLB All-Star Robin Ventura, as well as PGA Tour winners David Edwards, Viktor Hovland, Bob Tway, and Scott Verplank, and six-time LPGA Tour winner Val Skinner.

Announced as an official Play Yellow Ambassador at the 2024 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. Play Yellow is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign with support from Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and the PGA Tour to bring the entire golf world together to help the 10 million kids treated at local children's hospitals each year.

Made a cameo appearance in Happy Gilmore 2, released on Netflix in July 2025.

Reached No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in August 2007, becoming the fifth player to reach No. 1 in the ranking's history, as it was introduced in January 2007. Spent a total of 36 weeks at No. 1, including a stretch of 22 consecutive weeks from October 2007 through February 2008, prior to turning professional in fall 2009.

Represented the United States at the 2007 and 2009 Walker Cup. Posted a 7-1 record in the two U.S. victories, with the most notable match being a Foursomes win (alongside Billy Horschel) over Rory McIlroy and Jonathan Caldwell in 2007.

Lost a playoff to Derek Lamely and finished solo second at the 2009 Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship, a Korn Ferry Tour event in Columbus, Ohio. Marked one of only four wins or runner-up finishes by an amateur in Korn Ferry Tour history at the time.

Played two seasons at Oklahoma State University (2007-09), where he earned three individual victories -- including medalist honors at the 2008 Big 12 Conference Championship -- and won the 2008 Ben Hogan Award, one of three collegiate national player of the year awards.

Garnered two All-America First Team honors, earned the 2008 Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, and was named the 2008 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year.

Lost his match against Brian Harman as University of Georgia defeated Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals of the 2009 NCAA Championship.

Represented the United States alongside Billy Horschel and Jamie Lovemark at the 2008 World Amateur Team Championship, contested at Royal Adelaide Golf Club in Australia. Helped the U.S. to a runner-up finish.

Won back-to-back Sunnehanna Amateur titles in 2007 and 2008. Past champions of the event include Tommy Aaron (1959), Brad Faxon (1982), Lucas Glover (2001), and Webb Simpson (2006).

Won the individual state title at the 2006 California Interscholastic Federation State High School Championship while competing for Murrieta Valley High School.

Won the 2005 Western Junior Championship.