The British fan-favorite Tommy Fleetwood, long considered one of the most talented players never to win on American soil, finally shook off that label in spectacular fashion — taking the win at the Tour Championship at East Lake and putting a giant exclamation point on his PGA Tour journey.
But if you think that’s the end of the story, think again.
Fleetwood, now World No. 10, isn’t just content with one breakthrough. With the BMW PGA Championship on the horizon and The Open set to return to Royal Birkdale — just minutes from his hometown of Southport — the 34-year-old has his sights set on something even bigger: delivering a fairytale win in front of his own people.
Fleetwood Credits Golf Legend For His Swing
While the headlines may focus on his recent hardware, there’s a deeper, more personal layer to Fleetwood’s rise — one that starts with a chance encounter more than two decades ago.
“I was eight… Ernie Els did a clinic… and he just happened to speak to me,” Fleetwood recently recalled. “From that point on, Ernie Els was always my hero.”
That moment — a young boy locking eyes with a legend — sparked a lifelong obsession with the silky-smooth swing of the four-time major champ. Fleetwood’s own rhythm and poise on the course today? Straight out of the Ernie Els playbook.
Fast forward to today, and Fleetwood has etched his name into the elite ranks of global golf. But there’s still a chapter missing — one written on English soil, with the roar of the home crowd behind him.
“Being at home and playing in front of home crowds… you always picture those moments,” Fleetwood said.
With Ludvig Aberg’s win in Switzerland fresh in mind, Fleetwood knows exactly what’s at stake. And with Royal Birkdale looming on the horizon, the dream of lifting The Open in front of family, friends, and hometown fans is no longer a fantasy — it’s a mission.
