Tommy Fleetwood has been one of the standout performers in world golf this year and the Englishman has a strong support network behind him to thank for his success
Tommy Fleetwood emerged as the standout star of the Ryder Cup after helping to lead his team to victory during a tense weekend in New York. The 34-year-old was Europe’s guiding light throughout the first four sessions, boasting an impressive 4-0 record.
Despite having the opportunity to maintain a perfect score, the Southport-born golfer was ultimately defeated by Justin Thomas on a final day largely dominated by the Americans.
Nevertheless, as the recipient of the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award – an honour bestowed upon the player who best encapsulates the spirit of the Ryder Cup – Fleetwood proved once again that he is among the game’s elite.
This season has seen him secure 12 top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour, and he clinched his long-awaited first victory with the Tour Championship title in August. Such performances are backed by a seasoned and skilled support team.
Here, Mirror Sport delves deeper into Team Fleetwood, from his formidable caddie to his wife and manager Clare.
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Clare Fleetwood
Tommy and Clare’s paths first crossed through her work as a sports agent, and their professional collaboration quickly blossomed into a romantic relationship. They tied the knot in 2017 and welcomed their son later that same year, joining Clare’s two children from a previous relationship.
Their 23-year age difference has often been a talking point. The gap was even used to taunt Fleetwood at the Ryder Cup, with some US supporters poking fun at Clare’s age.
However, the pair have no issues with blending their work and personal lives. Discussing how Clare became his manager after they started dating, Fleetwood told The Times: “We planned to keep our life and our work separate, for me to find another agent.
“But it became more apparent I wasn’t going to find anybody I’d trust as much because, after all, Clare is a very, very, very good agent by trade; it wasn’t like she was my wife just helping the family out.”
Ian Finnis
Finnis has become somewhat of a minor celebrity following the Ryder Cup. The caddie’s straightforward approach to an event marred by tension caught the eye of fans who were impressed by his coolness and authority amidst the boisterous American crowds, and during a confrontation with US star Bryson DeChambeau.
Standing at a towering 6’7″, Fleetwood’s fellow Merseysider, who is married to former Lionesses player Rachel Brown-Finnis, is a former golfer with an amateur background himself. He first met Fleetwood as a teenager, and while he had aspirations of making it big in the golf world, he ultimately fell short but continued to assist teenage and amateur golfers.
Fleetwood has described playing with Finnis as “having family on the bag.” Finnis’ composed demeanour at the Ryder Cup is even more impressive after he confessed to missing the 2024 Masters due to undergoing open heart surgery
Butch Harmon
Fleetwood has worked closely with Butch Harmon since 2023. The legendary American has been an instructor to the biggest names over the years, including Tiger Woods from 1993 to 2004, while he has also mentored Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy over the years.
The 82-year-old won two PGA Tour events during his playing days but he’s best known to fans for his coaching abilities and for his commentary across many golf events, including for Sky Sports.
Phil Kenyon
Fleetwood has one of the most in-demand putting coaches in world golf. Kenyon has guided players to multiple FedEx Cup and Race To Dubai victories, as well as over 90 Tour wins, including six majors, on the PGA and European circuits.
Based out of Formby Hall, Kenyon is also a Master PGA Professional, which was a status awarded to him by the PGA of Great Britain. Kenyon has worked with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy and Justin Rose over the years.
Dr Bob Rotella
Fleetwood also has one of golf’s finest psychologists in his corner. Rotella famously played a significant role in Padraig Harrington’s major victories and helped McIlroy win the Masters this year.
A whisper in the ear from Rotella has often turned golfers at their lowest ebb into world beaters. Offering an insight into his methods, Dr Rotella explained to the Musings on Golf podcast just how he was working with McIlroy.
“We’re probably going to find ways to take pressure off it so that he [McIlroy] can win it,” he said. “He’s doing everything humanly possible to give himself a chance. But he also understands there’s lots of other great players.”
With Rotella seemingly having a major impact on Fleetwood, Harrington once spoke of what draws Dr Rotella to his clients. He said: “Bob once wrote that he’d rather meet somebody with great dreams rather than a great person with no dreams.”