A tranquil October morning at Jumeirah Golf Estates could not feel any further removed from the boisterous Marco Simone Golf and Country Club less than three weeks previously, but Tommy Fleetwood seems just as enraptured here as he did there.
It helps, obviously, that his name is above the door. It’s been almost a year since the European Ryder Cup star launched his Tommy Fleetwood Academy on this very spot and, as a local resident since too, he’s well positioned to plot its progress.
In fact, living on site, Fleetwood drops in regularly. That is, whenever he’s not competing around the world as one of the game’s foremost golfers.
“Of course, my name is on the academy, and I have a leadership role to play in it,” Fleetwood tells The National. “But I actually just enjoy being alongside everybody else that's kind of chasing their dreams. Because I'm trying to get better every day, and I'm still chasing my dream.
“So, that is the coolest part of it. I love it being that way.”
It applies to the Fleetwood family, also. Not far from view, youngest son Franklin (he goes by “Frankie”) is on the range, golf club in hand, displaying the sort of carefree approach to the sport that any six-year-old would.
“It's very special,” Fleetwood says. “I watch how much he enjoys the game. Take today, for instance: he came here at nine o'clock and he's been practicing for three hours now.
“Watching other kids as well, either similar age to him or a bit older, all enjoying it, all spending time together, is great. It’s something that means a lot to me, for sure.
“I look at him and the others, and there's so many similarities with my childhood. And I have a lot to give, in terms of helping them along the way, if they want to.”
The eponymous academy, Fleetwood’s only outside the one in his hometown of Southport, England, was inaugurated last November in partnership with DP World, the title sponsors of Europe’s lead professional circuit.
Fleetwood, a six-time winner on tour and still fresh from securing the decisive point earlier this month that sealed Europe the Ryder Cup, is clearly proud of what’s been accomplished with the project this past 12 months.
“For myself and [wife and manager] Clare, we’ve always had a strong vision for what I see for the Tommy Fleetwood Academy,” he says. “How I see it progressing and how I want to use the game to support people, develop people, develop their skills, and hopefully grow the game in that sense.
“And having the opportunity to be here at Jumeirah Golf Estates [JGE] - the facilities are incredible – with DP World and their vision has aligned really, really well.
“I can't believe it's been a year. Seeing the place progressively grow, it's just really cool. We live here, and I get to see it day by day, which is amazing being around it, and something that you have such pride in. I'm so grateful to everybody that's been involved.”
Fleetwood, currently ranked No 15 in the world, can often be found at the academy, chewing the fat with its coaching team, giving advice to aspiring golfers, or even partaking in a chipping contest or two.
“I just like that everybody is part of the community that is trying to grow together and support each other,” he says.
The academy caters for all caibre of golfers, be it beginners, juniors, amateurs or professionals. A significant number of DP World Tour golfers practice there. Inclusion is a key touchstone.
“That’s the exact type of environment we want to create,” Fleetwood says. “Because whether that's today, tomorrow or the next day, everybody's journey is just starting at the same time - it's just you're at different levels.
“But, no matter where you're at, the only job is to try and get better every day. I love seeing people try the game and I get a lot of satisfaction from watching somebody try it, and a week later being hooked. And you know that they’re hooked for the rest of their life.”
Not that he needs it – Fleetwood, 32, is known for his amiable character – but the academy helps one of the world’s lead golfers stay grounded.
“I've been aware for a long time, [that] I try and learn as much as possible,” he says. “So that I can then carry that forward and pass it on and use it to help myself and help others.
“I've always been big on taking in those experiences, writing things down, picking people's brains. And there's a lot of skills involved in that. I've always been very good at asking questions, but that's not a skill that everybody else has.
“That would be just one of the things we try and improve at the academy, and help people develop as many skills as possible that will help them progress, not just in golf, but there's people that dream of other things as well. We're using the game to help people progress.”
Fleetwood’s progression through elite golf has carried him here, to nine professional wins and two successful Ryder Cup campaigns. The most recent, earlier this month near Rome, was extra special: playing in Sunday's penultimate pairing, Fleetwood secured the pivotal point as Europe reclaimed the trophy from the United States, eventually prevailing 16.5 to 11.5.
Most would bask in landing the decisive blow, but Fleetwood has yet to watch back the event, bar the clips doing the rounds on social media.
That moment late on Sunday, though, in the heat of battle and front and centre on the fan-packed, driveable par-4 16th, deserves repeated viewing.
Fleetwood sent a fabulous tee shot onto the green and subsequently won the hole to go dormie two against Rickie Fowler, ensuring the half point that clinched the trophy.
“Everybody dreams of having to hole a winning putt for the Ryder Cup, or hitting a shot," Fleetwood says. "I've definitely pictured it 1,000s of times when I've been practising.
“But actually stood there with the opportunity, one of the things I was most pleased with was, I stood on that tee and I was looking at the green, and the awareness of knowing that I was one good shot away, and what an amazing chance this is to do something memorable that I’ll remember for the rest of my career.
“That was very much at the front of my mind. The shot was great. But being in that moment and how present I was, I'm very proud of that.
“I'm just so happy it came off the middle of the face and it was going straight. That was the main priority. And, after that, I was relieved, and we were good - we were done then.”
No doubt, it made up for 2021, when Fleetwood was part of a losing Ryder Cup side – the first time he experienced both contesting the trophy on US soil, and ultimately, defeat in the competition.
It was chastening, too, with Steve Stricker’s side recording a record 19-9 victory.
Yet the loss, and the manner of it, spurred the Rome rebound.
“You go back to two years ago, it's still so clear in my mind, and I know for the ones that were there, I know we're all the same,” Fleetwood says. “We stood on the 18th green, and you watch the other team celebrating, we've taken a big loss - we got beat pretty badly. We didn't do ourselves justice in terms of our performance.
“A lot of us were upset with that. At that point, you just wanted the opportunity again, you wanted to play straight away, and you know there's two years to wait. But then you want to make sure that you make this team, you want to be a part of trying to get that Ryder Cup back.
“The team aspect of it, it's just as enjoyable. It’s so amazing spending time with those guys and the family that you become, win, lose or draw.
“Winning as a team is much better than losing. But I guess we can all look back, and you never want to get beat, but having something to motivate you as strong as that for us all, was key. But I'd much rather be on the winning side.”
Fleetwood, who claimed three points from a possible four at Marco Simone, has had that pleasure twice. In 2018, upon his Ryder Cup debut and when he reigned as European No 1, the Englishman won all four matches alongside Francesco Molinari in France before losing his singles to Tony Finau.
It mattered little: Europe triumphed 17.5-10.5.
“The Ryder Cup is always the most incredible experience,” Fleetwood says. “Being in the European team room is the best place in golf, and I've loved every experience I've ever had with them. And [this year’s] singles, I suppose I didn't expect to play the role I had in the end.
“I was hoping I wouldn't have to, but then an amazing opportunity and memories for life being able to do that. Just so happy we all got that winning feeling; it seems so special.”
However, for Europe heading into 2023, read US 2025. Unquestionably shaken by their Italian experience, the Americans will be driven by a similar intent to make amends in two years' time, when the event relocates to what should represent a raucous Bethpage Black.
“Absolutely,” Fleetwood says. “But for us, you will find different motivating factors. When the qualification process starts, everybody will want to make that team and go to an away Ryder Cup, especially one that's in New York... enter that cauldron and try and do something very special, which is winning an away Ryder Cup, which is proving very, very difficult at the moment.
“But all of us on this team will want the opportunity again to go and see if we can do something very special and seldom done these days. I would love to make that team and be alongside my teammates again.”
Luke Donald, this month’s victorious captain, has been tipped to lead the team once more in 2025. On Sunday in Italy, once the cup was confirmed, Europe’s players publicly championed their skipper’s candidature for a repeat.
“We’ll see how that goes,” Fleetwood says. “If Luke was to be asked, it's obviously up to Luke and [wife] Diane if they choose they want to do it again.
“But I know anybody on that team would love playing under Luke, because he was such a fantastic captain. We're all very proud to play for him and very proud of the job he did for us.”
Ryder Cup glow not yet dimmed, Fleetwood still has his own job to do in this season’s twilight.
He has two tournaments remaining, returning next month to the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa as defending champion – he is a two-time winner of the event - and then the 2023 Race to Dubai finale: the DP World Tour Championship (DPWTC), at a JGE he now calls home, from November 16-19.
Ten of the 12 players on Team Europe will tee it up at the Earth Course.
Evidently, Fleetwood, who has a runner-up and two third-placed finishes among nine top-10s this year (including the calendar’s latter two majors), has plenty left to play for.
“Definitely,” he says. “I've had a very good year individually. And there's still goals I set that I've fallen short of. But I do believe you have to stretch yourself; I don't mind falling short of high targets.
“There's still two events for me, and there are still goals out there I can achieve. I'm very excited about the events left to play for. There's not much time, but there's still enough for me to achieve some things this year.”
Getting over the line at next month’s DPWTC would surely sate the appetite. Fleetwood was tied 5th there last year; in his best performance, second in 2019, he was denied a play-off by Jon Rahm's birdie on the final hole.
“Yeah, John did me in there,” Fleetwood smiles. “But, obviously living here, my knowledge for the course and history of the course, I have a lot now.
“I've got my picture in the clubhouse with the [2017] Race to Dubai trophy, but I would love that DP World Tour Championship trophy. I'd love to win that and have the support of everybody here. I'll just keep playing and pushing, and we'll see if we can do it.”
Then, with season done, sit back and relive, finally, those memorable moments from Marco Simone.
“I do have to watch it back,” Fleetwood says. “I'm sure there'll be a lot of Christmas viewing. When I get a bit of time and I decide to watch it and take it all in, I'll definitely sit back and enjoy it.
“Because I could play [the 16th on Sunday] all back in my head to be honest. But I'd like to see how everything else panned out as well.”
You wouldn’t, though, begrudge Fleetwood watching that trophy-sealing tee shot on loop.
“Perhaps I could do that one,” he laughs. “Yeah, that was a good one.”
Ryder Cup player ratings
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RYDER CUP PLAYER RATINGS - TEAM EUROPE: From the heartbreak of Whistling Straits to Europe's top points scorer in Rome, McIlroy was a man on a mission. Won his first three matches and only a miracle putt on 18 prevented a half-point on Saturday afternoon. Dominated Sam Burns in singles for his best-ever Ryder Cup haul. AP -
Overwhelmed on debut two years ago, Hovland arrived in Rome as arguably the best player in the world and played like it. Set the tone with a chip-in on the first and claimed one-and-a-half points on the opening day. Combined with Aberg for a historic 9&7 win on Saturday morning, and after a defeat in fourballs, bounced back by crushing Collin Morikawa in singles. A dominant performance from a world-class player. Getty -
Hatton's first Ryder Cup as a senior player, and boy did he revel in his leadership role. Formed an unbreakable foursomes partnership with Rahm, winning both games, and claimed a half with Hovland in Friday fourballs. Then proceeded to crush Open champion Harman in singles. A fearless, feisty display from the Englishman in Rome. Reuters -
The Spaniard was Europe's star in a losing effort in Wisconsin and he led from the front again in Rome. Dominated alongside Hatton in Friday's foursomes and holed an outrageous putt off the green to split the Friday fourballs. Won again with Hatton on Saturday morning, and after sitting out the afternoon, went up against Scheffler in a titanic singles tussle, claiming the half on the 18th. The ultimate big-game player. Getty -
Paired with rookie MacIntyre for Friday and Saturday fourballs, Rose took on the mentor role with conviction. Sunk a nerveless putt on 18 to share the honours against the previously formidable Spieth and Thomas. Then marshalled MacIntyre to victory in Europe's only win on Saturday afternoon. Put up a game fight in a losing singles effort against Cantlay but fulfilled his leadership role superbly. Getty -
Struggled early on but still won alongside McIlroy in the Friday foursomes, Fleetwood then came into his own 24 hours later to earn another foursomes point with McIlroy. Yet he saved his very best for Sunday's singles, beating Fowler 3&1 to secure the cup for Europe. His drive onto the par-4 16th was one of the shots of the tournament. The Englishman is tailor-made for this tournament. Getty -
Selected having only turned pro three months ago, Aberg justified the pick and exceeded all the hype with a stellar rookie showing. Claimed two points alongside Hovland in the foursomes, including a record 9&7 win on Saturday that left opponent Scheffler in tears. Lost his last two matches but by then the damage had been done, and the Swede was a key contributor. A generational talent indeed. PA -
Viewed as Europe's potential weak link, the Scot did look out of his depth early but came alive from Saturday onwards, combining with Rose for Europe's only Saturday fourballs point, before easing past US Open champion Wyndham Clark in Sunday's singles. Ended the Ryder Cup with more points than world No 1 Scottie Scheffler. PA -
The Irishman contributed to the best-ever European session, combining with rookie Straka as part of a Friday foursomes clean sweep, although the pair got dominated the following day. Halved his singles match with Spieth on Sunday. Lowry was Europe's most passionate and vocal cheerleader, and was clearly loving every minute. Getty -
Arrived in Rome seeking his first Ryder Cup point following five defeats, the Englishman started like a train to lead McIlroy to victory in Friday fourballs. First point secured but that's as good as it got for Fitzpatrick, who lost his remaining two matches. A much-improved performance, though. Getty -
Started brilliantly with a point in his first Ryder Cup session, but the Austrian rookie lost his other two matches, in Saturday foursomes and Sunday singles. Played his part in the win, and some solid golf on the PGA Tour should keep him in contention for a place on the 2025 team. EPA -
The Danish rookie started brightly on Friday afternoon but the gritty half-point alongside Rahm was the best it got. Hojgaard is capable of stunning shot-making but his putter went badly cold on Saturday and Sunday and he lost both matches. Definitely a star of the future, though, and the experience will be invaluable for future Ryder Cups. Getty -
A perfect captain's performance. From his team selection, choice of pairings, and playing order, Donald barely put a foot wrong. Opting to lead out with foursomes on Friday and Saturday was a masterstroke. The strong European team culture was evident not only during the week but throughout the weeks and months leading up to the tournament. Took his Ryder Cup tally to five wins from five. Getty -
TEAM USA: Homa looked genuinely terrified on the first tee, but looks can be deceiving. Despite losing that opening morning session, he grew from strength to strength, winning three and halving one of his remaining four games. He was also responsible for the coldest moment of the tournament, taking his hat off and walking to shake hands with his vanquished opponents while his chip was still travelling to the hole. USA's standout player. Getty -
Involved in as much off-course drama as on it. There were accusations of Cantlay leading a split in the team room amid an alleged protest over a lack of pay. While those are all rumours, Cantlay delivered his best in the second half of the tournament after losing his first two matches. Attempted to build some momentum with a victory in Saturday fourballs and won his singles match. Revelled in the pantomime villain role. Getty -
After losing his Friday morning match, won both on Saturday to become one of the US's leading players heading into Sunday singles, where he was outplayed by Tyrrell Hatton. A satisfactory Ryder Cup debut but hardly a dominant performance befitting a major champion. AFP -
His selection divided opinion given his poor form this season on the PGA Tour, but Thomas showed plenty of grit - a quality missing from many of his teammates. Lost two and halved one of his three pairing matches, but partner Spieth was more to blame for the defeats. Won his singles against Straka. Hardly set Rome alight but justified his pick. Getty -
Burns was all over the show on Friday morning in the foursomes defeat alongside Scheffler but was much improved in Saturday fourballs to win a point with Morikawa. He was then outclassed by McIlroy in singles. Hardly justified his captain's pick. EPA -
Spoke a big game leading into Rome but hardly backed it up. Directly responsible for throwing away half a point after a horror 18th hole in Friday's fourballs, but did collect a point the next day alongside Cantlay. Clark was then outplayed by MacIntyre in the singles to compound a forgettable debut. AP -
The only LIV player on the US team, Koepka won one, drew one, and lost one of his three matches. Not a terrible return but given his status as one of the world's leading players, he never imposed himself. Koepka was also involved in the biggest defeat in foursomes history but produced a strong singles performance. Nowhere near enough of a contribution. AP -
Irrepressible in Wisconsin two years ago, Morikawa was a shadow of that player in Rome. Lost both of his matches on Friday, before collecting his first win in Saturday's fourballs. The two-time major champion was then dominated by Hovland in singles. A huge talent but miles off his best in Italy. PA -
Saw his previously perfect partnership with Cantlay taken apart with twin losses on Friday and lost again in Saturday foursomes. Claimed a full point by beating Hojgaard in singles but the US were already out of contention by then. Another star from Wisconsin who slumped in Rome. Getty -
One of the senior members of the US team, Spieth, like Scheffler, went winless in Rome, halving two and losing two of his four matches. His formidable partnership with Thomas was cut down to size and he let slip his lead against Lowry in singles to settle for a half. Far from the imposing figure of past Ryder Cups. Getty -
Revived this year after a few seasons in the wilderness, Fowler arrived in Rome in good form and as an experienced member of the US team. However, he proceeded to lose both of his matches and made very little impact on the tournament. Apparently he was suffering from illness but either way, a hugely disappointing return to the team. EPA -
A surprise star at Whistling Straits, Scheffler has spent the past two years establishing himself as the best player on the planet. Yet, in Rome, the world No 1 crumbled. Failed to win a match and was reduced to tears after his and Koepka's record defeat on Saturday. Involved in a thrilling singles match with Rahm, but blew the chance to win having led on 18. The chronic putter issues were horribly exposed. Getty -
A thoroughly nice and decent guy but Johnson was hardly the inspirational figure his team needed after a historically bad Friday. Got many of his selections wrong, and struggled to reverse his team's fortunes. Whereas Europe was a team united, that same culture was evidently absent in the US team room, which ultimately falls on the captain. EPA
