Tommy Fleetwood: My stepson was in hospital during PGA Tour breakthrough

Tommy Fleetwood has revealed his stepson Mo missed out on celebrating his first PGA Tour title as he was in hospital for nearly a month. 

Fleetwood finally secured his first victory on American soil at the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake in August. 

The victory came on Fleetwood's 164th attempt and followed a season whereby he had led twice after 54 holes but failed to get over the line. 

His critics suggested Fleetwood was not equipped to deal with the pressure, but he proved his doubters wrong by holding off charges from Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley and the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler. 

Fleetwood's Ryder Cup team-mate and good friend Justin Rose was greenside to film the final putt, shortly before the crowd started chanting his name. 

His stepson Oscar - also an aspiring pro - was quick to bearhug the golfer but his wife Clare and Mo, 17, were nowhere to be seen. 

Fleetwood told reporters it was because Mo went under the knife during the week he played at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. 

"Yeah, so our middle boy, Mo, had a spinal operation just over a month ago now," Fleetwood told reporters before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.  

"So they were unable to travel. Actually the week of Memphis, they were in the hospital and he was recovering and they actually just got home before we got home. He had three-and-a-half weeks I think in the hospital."

Fleetwood did not say any more, but told reporters before he walked out of the media centre Mo is doing really well and is in attendance this week. 

"Hopefully it's because I'm a nice person"

Fleetwood's first victory on American soil touched the hearts of many. 

Tiger Woods was among those to personally comment on his heart-warming triumph. 

"No one deserves it more," wrote Woods. 

Asked about his popularity on both sides of the pond, Fleetwood said he always tries to have the right attitude. 

"Hopefully it's because I'm a nice person," he said. "I don't know. I've always tried to be myself. 

"I have always said, I'm lucky that I connect with people well. Like I can actually connect with people, for whatever reason that is or however that goes.

He added: "You know, I've always been lucky with support that I get, and yeah, it's been very endearing, like the support that I get in America. 

"You know, it's so hard when you talk personally about yourself and why people might enjoy watching you or people like you as a person.

"But I've always been very lucky with that and always tried to be myself, and I've always tried to be a good person and a nice person. 

"You know, people have enjoyed watching me play golf as well. I think there's a sense of predictability about what happens and people like that."

"He's such an asset to the European team"

Fleetwood is playing in his final tournament before heading to Bethpage Black with Team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

He delivered three points from four matches two years ago and will need to be at his very best if Europe are to have any chance to win in hostile territory. 

Donald's team is essentially the same, with Rasmus Hojgaard the only fresh face. The Dane, a rookie, will assume the spot his twin brother occupied at Marco Simone. 

Fleetwood believes the team is very strong and picked out Robert MacIntyre for praise. 

He played with the Scot when he was 21 years old and now the Oban man is a two-time PGA Tour winner. 

Had it not been for the brilliance of J.J. Spaun then MacIntyre could've been the 2025 US Open champion.

"But the fact that he's there and competing shows he's one of the best players in the world, and you look at where he is now, such an asset to the European Team in the Ryder Cup and such a great person to have on the golf course and the team room," Fleetwood said. 

"Bob just continues to grow from strength-to-strength and as a fellow European player or friend or colleague that's out with him week-in, week-out, he's one of those guys that you enjoy being around, and you enjoy someone that motivates you, as well."