Tommy Fleetwood is bidding for his first major title as he tees off at the US Open in New York this week. The Englishman returns to Shinnecock Hills, the venue where he came agonisingly close to glory eight years ago, hoping it can finally provide the stage for a major triumph.
Tommy Fleetwood's Wife Clare and Their 23-Year Age Gap
Fleetwood is married to his long-time manager Clare Fleetwood, who is 23 years older than him. The pair met when Fleetwood was establishing himself as a professional golfer and Clare became his manager. Their relationship later blossomed, and they married in 2017 in the Bahamas.
The age difference has occasionally attracted attention, but Fleetwood has consistently brushed off any interest, preferring to keep the focus on golf and family life. "I tell my kids all the time the biggest life skill you can have is finding a great woman," Tommy told The Times in 2023. "And I did manage that."
Clare has also spoken about the age gap. "We've got a 23-year age difference," she said on a 2023 episode of the Performance People podcast, explaining why she initially turned Tommy down. "Of course I turned him down. I was like, 'Don't be stupid.'" The age gap was "big news in our circle, so I was a little bit paranoid" about what "other people were thinking all the time," she said. "But once we fell in love, that's it. We were in. People saw us and knew it meant something." She added that the doubters "have redeemed themselves and admitted they doubted wrongly."
The couple have one son together, Franklin, while Fleetwood is also stepfather to Clare's two sons from a previous relationship. In recent years, the family relocated from the UK to Dubai, where Fleetwood has enjoyed some of the most successful years of his career.
Talented Golfer Stepson
One member of the Fleetwood family is already making a name for himself in golf. Clare's son Murray Craig, 17, is regarded as one of England's leading junior talents and recently earned a place in the prestigious Curry Cup after impressing on Stephen Curry's Underrated Golf Tour.
Craig, often referred to as 'Mo', secured qualification after winning a play-off at the season-opening European event at The Belfry, earning one of the coveted places at the season-ending tournament in the United States. The Underrated Golf Tour was launched by NBA superstar Stephen Curry to create opportunities for talented young golfers from underrepresented backgrounds and has quickly become one of the sport's most high-profile junior circuits.
Speaking to Town & Country last month, Fleetwood said of 'Mo': "Our middle boy, he doesn't really respect my opinions very much. He doesn't really listen that much. He likes having his own mindset and doing things, but then he'll ask me afterwards. I don't mind at all." Fleetwood added: "My kids become my biggest sort of motivation. I want to be the best example for them as well... I do feel like there's times when I achieve things and I love being able to show them that dreams are possible."
Special Shinnecock Hills Memories
Fleetwood's affection for Shinnecock Hills is no secret. When the US Open was last held at the venue in 2018, he produced one of the greatest rounds in the tournament's history. Starting the final day well off the pace, Fleetwood fired a sensational 63 – still one of the lowest rounds ever recorded in a US Open – to surge into contention. He narrowly missed a birdie putt on the final hole that would have secured the first-ever 62 in tournament history and eventually finished runner-up.
Looking back, Fleetwood said: "That approach to the 18th was one of the best shots I ever hit in one of the best rounds in my life." The burden of landing a first PGA Tour title has now disappeared after his breakthrough success last year, and many believe that could help him finally get over the line in a major championship. Fleetwood tees off alongside Rory McIlroy and Ludwig Åberg in the opening rounds at Shinnecock Hills, where he will hope a venue that delivered one of the finest performances of his career can finally provide the major title that has so far eluded him.
