Tommy Fleetwood has said the experience of his teenage stepson undergoing spinal surgery last month will put any abuse he receives at the Ryder Cup this week into perspective. The 17-year-old, known as Mo, underwent the procedure while Fleetwood was winning the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Fleetwood, who secured the winning point for Europe in Rome two years ago, remains hugely popular in the United States. His first PGA Tour victory was greeted with praise from sporting icons including Tiger Woods and John McEnroe. However, he expects to be targeted by the home crowd at Bethpage Black in New York.
“It is all part of the week,” Fleetwood said. “That's what an away Ryder Cup should be.” He added: “I don't think I will be immune at Bethpage Black. I would like that, I would love that very much, but I don't think so.”
The world number seven said the surgery his stepson underwent gave him perspective. “There are a lot worse things than a few nasty things being said to you,” he said. “We've just watched our 17-year-old boy in hospital getting surgery.”
Mo has passed a fitness test and is on Long Island this week, joining his brothers Oscar and Frankie for Fleetwood's practice round. The family will be hoping for a double celebration on Sunday, which is Frankie's eighth birthday and the day Europe could retain the Ryder Cup.
Fleetwood said: “I would love to win with them there. Those are the things that I really want the most.”
