Tommy Fleetwood’s lengthy highway to PGA Tour victory got here to a triumphant finish on the Tour Championship, the place he lastly clinched his first title and a $10 million prize.
The English golfer, 34, secured the career-defining win with a peaceful closing spherical of 2-under 68, sealing a three-shot lead and breaking a years-long drought after 164 makes an attempt on the PGA Tour.
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Whereas the second was celebratory, one essential particular person wasn’t on hand-his spouse and longtime supervisor, Clare Fleetwood. She selected to look at from house slightly than attend the occasion in particular person, regardless of the historic nature of the victory.
Her absence sparked dialog, notably due to previous feedback she’s made about public scrutiny over their 23-year age distinction.
Navigating love, work, and public notion
Clare, 57, has spoken brazenly about how others’ opinions as soon as created emotional stress within the early days of their relationship. Showing on the “Efficiency Individuals” podcast in 2023, she defined, “It was form of not really for us, however it was simply considering what different individuals are considering… I used to be somewhat bit paranoid about all that, actually.”
Although the age hole wasn’t an issue internally, public notion created its personal challenges.
The couple’s relationship started in 2015, when Clare, already working as a sports activities agent, met Tommy by means of his brother. At first, Clare hesitated to take issues additional, joking that she turned him down initially, saying, “Do not be silly,” due to their age hole.
However love finally gained out, and the pair married in 2017. They now share a son, Frankie, and reside within the United Arab Emirates together with Clare’s two older kids from a earlier marriage.
Regardless of the non-public connection, Clare by no means stepped away from her skilled function. She continues to handle Tommy’s golf profession in full, overseeing every little thing from sponsorships and PR to logistics and funds.
“Perhaps typically an excessive amount of,” she admitted, saying the twin roles make her suppose deeply about each facet of their life collectively – personally and professionally. “I do not see it as a way of life selection essentially… I am going to have a look at it as a enterprise selection as properly.”
Fleetwood’s win on Sunday was particularly candy after a sequence of heartbreaking losses earlier within the season, together with final-round collapses on the Vacationers Championship and St. Jude Championship.
Reflecting on the journey, Fleetwood mentioned, “It is simple to say you are resilient, however it’s laborious when it’s a must to be… I really feel fortunate I’ve needed to present that facet of myself. And I really feel fortunate that it is paid off.”
