Tommy Fleetwood is undoubtedly one of the coolest men in golf. A 5-time European Tour Winner, US Open Runner Up, and Ryder Cup iceman; there’s very few people on the planet that spend more time on the golf course – and indeed thinking about golf – than Fleetwood.
We sat down (virtually) with the 30-year-old World Number 19 and newly anointed TAG Heuer ambassador to talk those iconic back to back putts at the 2018 Ryder Cup, his favourite course in Australia (and the world), and his work on the Connected Watch.
Tommy, great to be talking with you today and congrats on the Top 10 finish at the Arnold Palmer last week! First things first, what’s your favorite golf course in the world?
Great to be here guys. It has to be the Old Course at St-Andrew in terms of how it plays differently all the time, as well as the history of the town and the golf course. I absolutely love playing that golf course and it’s one I would play every day.
Yeh St. Andrews is certainly up there on my golfing bucket list, can’t wait to get over there one day. What about Australia? Ever been out here?
I actually lived in Australia for two months when I was 19 and we played the whole Australian circuit for two months. I spent a lot of time in Sydney, travelled to Melbourne, and around New South Wales. I think I reached the final of the New South Wales Amateur in 2010 and the match play was at Royal Sydney, which I absolutely loved playing at. I played about 36 holes a day around there and I really loved it, that one is very high on my list of favourite golf courses in the world, too.
The last time I went to Australia, I went to Perth a few years ago while trying to keep my tour card and I actually really enjoyed it. The course was Lake Karrinyup and it was me and a local caddie. Just an Englishman and an Aussie out there on the golf course together – it was a lovely place and a lovely city. Melbourne, Sydney, I’ve spent time in all those places and I’ve always had fantastic experiences there.
I always think fondly of golf in Australia and unfortunately the scheduling hasn’t worked out for me recently but my caddy and I always talk about going back for the Australian Open – so hopefully that day will come soon!
Fingers crossed you can get back down here soon! So you’ve just been announced as a TAG Heuer ambassador, obviously focusing on the Connected Watch Golf Edition. What draws you to TAG Heuer as a brand?
Well TAG Heuer is just a very cool brand. It’s interesting and exciting to be building something together as well. I’m going to be part of something that is hopefully going to be around for a long time and something that’s going to have a positive effect on many people playing the game of golf and fitness in general. On a personal level, it’s been great to be asked to be a part of this adventure with such an established brand and it’s going to be very exciting moving forward.
Am I right in hearing you’ve been working with the TAG Heuer team on developing their golf product as well?
I’m lucky about the fact that I play the game and spend a lot of my time with people at the elite end of the sport. But I also have kids that love the game and I play with my dad at home who is an average member that plays golf on the weekends.
I think having access to that massive spectrum of all of the golf world, makes me have an insight into what people want, or what I think could make a difference, or what I think could help. I also want to grow the game and make the game as enjoyable as possible – so I think being able to offload certain ideas or thoughts and actually try to implement it into a watch is going to be great for me, and hopefully golf lovers around the world.
Have you found the Connected Watch has been helping your game?
It has played a big part in my practices and tests of late. Recently I’ve been trying out new equipment – and the TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition has been a huge advantage. For example, I’ve been able to use the shaft distance feature on the golf course when I’ve gone out with a new driver or 3 wood, and to know so accurately how far I’ve hit the golf ball in different winds and different conditions is golden for a golfer like me. I can’t specify enough how helpful that is.
Off the course – when you’re not wearing the Connected Watch – what’s on your wrist?
If I’m not wearing the Golf Edition, I’m wearing a mechanical watch – the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 anniversary edition.
Nice choice. Alright, back to your career – is there a standout moment in your golfing life that springs to mind?
I have great memories from being young, whether playing for England with all my mates and winning events as a team, or playing as a young man with with my dad caddying. I remember my first shots in the Open and the Ryder Cup – both very special moments for me personally. But it’s so hard to pick just one – because I think I’m very lucky that I have had so many memorable moments over the years, and hopefully so many more to come.
Speaking of Ryder Cup. There’s one moment that springs to mind, at least from my perspective, where you epitomised that ‘don’t crack under pressure’ spirit. Talk me through it.
It was the first Friday of the 2018 Ryder Cup in France. Francesco Molinari and I (who happens to be one of Fleetwood’s best friends) were the last group out in the morning session – Europe had already lost the first three matches and there was me and Francesco out on the course against Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed. We were all square with three to play and I birdied 15 and 16. 16 was one of the most memorable putts in my career.
I was very inexperienced in those moments of the Ryder Cup, it was my first Ryder Cup, and I remember thinking ‘I hope I pull through’ – and I pulled through and managed to sink those two putts. That was an amazing moment for me, but a big moment for the team as well.
Tommy Fleetwood, a pleasure. Best of luck for the rest of the year and beyond.
Cheers!
