Tommy Fleetwood finally broke through for his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Tour Championship, claiming both the title and FedEx Cup along with a massive £7.4 million prize. The 34-year-old's triumph ended a long wait after more than 160 PGA Tour events without lifting a trophy, despite earning £18.5 million in prize money over his career.
His wife and manager Clare Fleetwood wasn't there to witness the historic moment on the 18th green. Instead, it was his 17-year-old stepson Oscar Craig who rushed out for an emotional embrace as the celebrations began.
Rose's thoughtful gesture
Justin Rose ensured Clare didn't miss out entirely on the celebrations. The 12-time PGA Tour winner grabbed his phone for a jubilant FaceTime call, turning the screen to show the adoring crowd who erupted in cheers upon seeing Clare's beaming face.
"So excited for you guys," Rose told Clare during the call. "I told you it was so easy to say that when it happened it was going to be a big one. But oh my God what a good one to do it."
Family foundations
The Fleetwood family unit runs deep, with Clare serving as both Tommy's wife since 2017 and his savvy manager. Their 23-year age gap - Clare is 57 - initially thrust them into the spotlight, but Clare previously revealed she had "full faith once we fell in love."
Oscar's presence highlighted the tight-knit family bonds that have sustained Tommy throughout his career. Only Edinburgh Live and Liverpool Echo report that Tommy had previously caddied for Oscar at the UAE Challenge in Abu Dhabi in April 2023, where the teenager finished 60th as an amateur.
Emotional breakthrough
Tommy became visibly emotional after sinking the winning putt, joking that "when you've lost so many times, a three-shot lead down the last doesn't feel like that many." He praised the support from fans, saying it made him "a bit emotional" and expressing gratitude for feeling "so lucky" with their backing.
The victory represented more than just sporting success for Tommy. "I'm so blessed with the family that I have and the love that surrounds me and the support that I get that it just makes everything that much easier really, whether it goes good or bad," he reflected.
Celebration and recognition
Rose captured Tommy's nail-biting final putt on video, later posting his excitement about the win. Only Liverpool Echo reports that celebrities including LeBron James and Caitlin Clark were among those congratulating Tommy on social media following his breakthrough.
Tommy emphasised that regardless of the outcome, "Oscar would have given me a hug" and "everything would have been great." His long-overdue triumph proved that persistence and family support can overcome years of near-misses in professional sport.
Sources used: "Mirror", "Edinburgh Live", "Liverpool Echo" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
