Tommy Fleetwood teed off at the inaugural DP World India Championship alongside fellow debutants Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Ben Griffin on Thursday. But only a few could have predicted the emotional win that unfolded by Sunday afternoon.
Held at the historic Delhi Golf Club, the tournament marked Fleetwood’s first competitive outing in India, and it took him no time to turn that visit into his eighth DP World Tour title.
On Sunday, Fleetwood used final round of 65 featuring eight birdies and just one bogey to edge out Japan’s Keita Nakajima by two shots with a total of 22-under. But what made this win truly unmatched wasn’t the leaderboard but the moment his son Frankie sprinted across the 18th green and leaped into his arms.
“You’ve never won a tournament and I’ve been able to run on to the 18th green,” Frankie had told his dad earlier that week, a passing comment that Fleetwood quietly scribbled into his notebook.
“I was like, I’m writing that down. I had that written down all week.” Fleetwood revealed post-round. “Even (Saturday), when I had that bad stretch, I was at the front of the 18th green and needed an up and down (chip and putt) to get into the final group and I was very aware of that. Today I had a lot of motivation going in.”
The 34-year-old Englishman, fresh off a FedEx Cup win and a dominant 4-1 run in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, called his Sunday moment on the 18th green one of the most special of his career.
Frankie, who’s become a social media favorite for his cheeky charm and candid appearances in Fleetwood’s posts, finally got his wish. As the final putt dropped, the young Fleetwood dashed onto the green, arms wide, heart fuller than ever.
Later, the FedEx Cup champion shared photos from the moment on social media, captioned “For you Frank!!”
Fleetwood’s victory also marked a significant milestone for the DP World Tour, as the India Championship debuted with a field stacked with global talent.
The Delhi Golf Club, with its old-world charm and tight, tree-lined layout, delivered a challenge unlike any other. Fleetwood handled it with pinpoint control, carving his way through the course like he’d played it for years.
“I try to keep my eyes off Frankie when I’m playing,” Fleetwood said with a smile. “But every now and again, I’d have a little peek. Today, I had a lot of motivation going in.”
Call it a win for the record books, but more so, a win for fatherhood.
More Golf: In ‘Shock’, Gary Player Labels Ryder Cup The ‘Worst Event’