British star Tommy Fleetwood was touched by three messages from fellow sporting stars, including LeBron James, following his maiden victory on the PGA Tour at the Tour Championship
Tommy Fleetwood was taken aback by some of the messages he received after winning the Tour Championship(Image: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Tommy Fleetwood was blown away by three messages in particular following his landmark Tour Championship triumph. The Southport star is golf’s man of the moment after finally winning on the PGA Tour for the first time by securing one of golf’s most prestigious trophies beyond the majors.
Following numerous close calls, Fleetwood kept his composure to secure not just the Tour Championship but also the FedEx Cup, netting him a £7.4million windfall. The 34-year-old was already a popular figure, with supporters cheering him on at East Lake.
Off the back of his triumph on Sunday, a string of stars have contacted him via social media to offer their congratulations, including three of the biggest names in sport, LeBron James, Caitlin Clark and fellow golfer Tiger Woods.
Fleetwood told the Pardon My Take podcast: “The support for me was ridiculous, I absolutely loved it. There’s been such good buzz.
“The last few times I’ve got into contention [to win a tournament], there’s been a really cool buzz. Sunday was very cool.”
When told of James’ interest in his final round, he added: “People started telling me afterwards because they’re the kind of things you don’t see. Lebron tweeted, Caitlin Clark and Tiger sent me a nice message.
“When you’re playing, you’re so consumed by what you’re doing in that moment. It’s such a huge thing. To hear all those things is pretty amazing.”
LeBron James was thrilled to see Fleetwood break his duck on the PGA Tour(Image: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star James posted on X: “Congrats and @TommyFleetwood1!!! That first one feeling is something else! Especially after dealing with adversity and shortcomings.”
WNBA star Clark posted a short and sharp “Awesome. Sports rock” message, having earlier posted: “This has to be Fleetwood’s day.”
Meanwhile, Woods posted: “Your journey is a reminder that hard work, resilience, and heart do pay off. No one deserves it more. Congrats @TommyFleetwood1!”
Tiger Woods was among the stars to react to Fleetwood’s triumph(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking after his victory, an elated and relieved Fleetwood said: “I was a bit erratic today at times and I was really proud of how I found my swing again on the 11th or 12th hole.
“I changed my routine a little bit, but still when you’ve lost it so many times, a three-shot lead down the last doesn’t feel like that many. I am just so happy I got it done, happy with my work ethic and I’ll continue to try and get better to be the best I can be.”
Fleetwood won’t be expecting the same kind of support from the American public when he is part of the European team at next month’s Ryder Cup.
Team USA captain Keegan has ended months of speculation by confirming he will not play at New York’s Bethpage Black.
