Tommy Fleetwood Shares Family Health Challenge Behind Wife's Absence at First PGA TOUR Win
Tommy Fleetwood's long-awaited first PGA TOUR victory last month was bittersweet, marked by the absence of his wife, Clare. The golfer clinched his inaugural title on August 24 at the TOUR Championship held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fleetwood, 34, revealed the reason for Clare's absence during a press conference on September 10. “Our middle boy, Mo, had a spinal operation just over a month ago now,” he explained. “So they were unable to travel. Actually, the week of Memphis, they were in the hospital and he was recovering. They just got home before we did. He spent three-and-a-half weeks in the hospital.”
Married since 2017, Tommy and Clare share a son named Franklin “Frankie,” who is 7 years old. Additionally, Tommy is a stepfather to Clare’s two sons from her previous marriage: Oscar and Murray “Mo,” both born in the early 2000s. As Mo continues his recovery, Tommy hopes that his recent victory will inspire all three boys.
“It’s easy to tell the kids the right thing all the time,” Tommy remarked. “But being an example that it can happen for you if you keep going is what matters most. I had the opportunity to show my kids what can happen, and that they can achieve their dreams too.”
Reflecting on his journey to victory, Tommy acknowledged the challenges he faced along the way. “I think it’s easy for anyone to claim they are resilient or have fight,” he said. “But it’s different when you actually have to prove it. There are various types of mental strength.”
He elaborated on his personal struggles: “I’ve had to demonstrate mental strength in a different way. I’ve had to be resilient in terms of putting myself back up there, getting myself back in that position, regardless of how many times it doesn’t go my way or how many doubts might creep in. It’s about thinking the right things and saying the right things to yourself.”
Tommy expressed satisfaction in being a living example that perseverance pays off: “I’m really pleased that I can show that if you do all the right things and just keep going, it can happen.”
In addition to his golfing achievements, Tommy and Clare have openly discussed their 23-year age difference. “Oh, we definitely get comments,” he noted in an interview earlier this year. “But it’s never been a thing for us. Clare looks very young for her age while I look older—probably all that sun exposure. She’s incredibly cool, and I’m not cool at all, though I am quite mature for my age.”
