Tommy Fleetwood, the hometown hero from Southport, has begun his campaign at The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The tournament, held for the 11th time at this venue, runs until Sunday, July 19. Fleetwood, currently third favourite with bookmakers, is seeking his first major title on home soil.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Fleetwood first gained local recognition in 2002 at the Sefton Sports Awards, where at just 11 years old he received a Junior Sports Personality of the Year Award. A report from the Southport Visiter that year described him as "one of the country's brightest golf prospects – a multi-tournament winner against older, bigger boys, handicap 11 and already hitting the ball 230 yards." PGA professional Norman Marshall, who saw him regularly at Leisure Lakes Golf Centre, said: "He is a breathtaking talent, by far the best I have ever seen, unbelievable."
Professional Achievements
Fleetwood joined the golfing elite in August 2024 when he captured The Tour Championship for his first PGA Tour victory, along with the FedEx Cup and its $10 million first prize. That breakthrough marked a major milestone in a career that has seen him represent Europe in multiple Ryder Cups and win several tournaments on the European Tour.
Personal Life and Family
Away from the course, the 35-year-old is married to Clare Craig, who also serves as his manager. Clare is 23 years his senior. The couple wed in 2017 and have a son named Frankie, born that same year. Fleetwood also has two stepsons from Clare's first marriage, Oscar and Murray. Golf runs in the family: Oscar made his debut on the Challenge Tour at the UAE Challenge in April 2024, with Fleetwood acting as his caddie for the week.
Local Support and Fandom
Fleetwood is a lifelong Everton FC fan. After his opening round at The Open, the club sent a message on X: "Proud Evertonian in a hometown @TheOpen Good luck at Royal Birkdale this week, @TommyFleetwood1." The support from his boyhood club adds to the homecoming atmosphere as he competes in front of local fans.
