‘I’ve been very average up to this point’: Tommy Fleetwood is relishing the prospect of career-changing victory at Masters after struggling for form amid the coronavirus pandemic
- Tommy Fleetwood struggled to find his best form during the Covid-19 pandemic
- He was reluctant to leave home following lockdown and struggled in America
- Fleetwood has said he is ‘looking forward to the chance to change everything’
- The 29-year-old family man will take part in this November edition of the Masters
Tommy Fleetwood has particular reason to embrace this November edition of the Masters.
‘It’s been a very average season to this point and now I’ve got a chance to make it a career-changing one,’ he said.
After a meteoric rise since winning in Abu Dhabi at the start of 2017, the 29-year-old family man has struggled to find his best form during the pandemic. He was reluctant to leave home when the game resumed in June following lockdown and did not play well in America when he did.
Tommy Fleetwood has said that he is excited by shot at career-changing victory at the Masters
It is probably not a coincidence that his three best performances since March came in the three events he has played in Europe. Even then, he was annoyed that he did not convert a glorious opportunity to win the Scottish Open in September.
‘Right now I’m looking at it as one of those run-of-the-mill seasons that every player has during their career,’ said Fleetwood, who has fallen from 10th to 16th in the world rankings.
‘You have to accept there are going to be ups and downs. Having said that, I’m looking forward to this week. You have to be excited about these events where you have the chance to change everything.’ Fleetwood has only played in three editions of the Masters.
In 2018, he got himself into contention with a brilliant third-round 66 but had to settle for a tie for 17th place — his best finish to date — following a final-round 74.
The 29-year-old family man has struggled to find his best form during the Covid-19 pandemic
Tyrrell Hatton entering the Masters in the limelight may benefit Fleetwood for the competition
This year, it might suit him coming in under the radar, with Tyrrell Hatton having stolen the limelight this season as the leading Englishman.
‘It is one of those courses where you feel more comfortable the more you play it,’ said Fleetwood. ‘I’m intrigued to see how it will play this week, though. It is playing a lot different at the moment with the grass long but we’ll see if they cut it come Thursday. As we all know, they can come up with a bit of magic when they want.’
As for the absence of any patrons, he added: ‘Of all the tournaments, this is the one we’ll feel it the most, because so many of the great shots in the tournament’s history are associated with the roars they generate. But it will still feel like a major, don’t worry about that.’
Fleetwood has certainly served his time in the big ones. He came close to winning the US Open in 2017 and 2018 and was runner-up to Shane Lowry in the Open at Royal Portrush last year.
‘I enjoy the challenge of the majors, I’ve shown that,’ he said. ‘I’m feeling good about my game, so let’s see what I can do.’