Off the course, Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy have developed a strong friendship, something that’s clear to anyone who follows their careers.
While Fleetwood doesn’t have the same number of wins as McIlroy, there’s no questioning his drive or his passion for the game. Both bring plenty of intensity to every round they play.
Given that, it wasn’t surprising to see them paired together for Team Europe at Bethpage Black in September.
The 34-year-old arrived at the Ryder Cup full of confidence after securing his first PGA Tour win at the Tour Championship.
After several close calls in 2025, he finally broke through with a win at East Lake, bringing an end to a series of runner-up finishes.
Going into 2026, Fleetwood set himself a clear goal: closing the gap between himself and both McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler in the world rankings.
This season, he’ll be looking not just for more wins but also to contend seriously in all four majors. His expectations are high—and rightly so.
At this point, Fleetwood has more than shown that he belongs inside golf’s top five. His performances back it up every week.
McIlroy shares early concerns about Fleetwood’s game
Following Fleetwood’s DP World Tour win in India last November, McIlroy had nothing but praise for his good friend.
But before that breakthrough on the PGA Tour, there was one thing about the Englishman’s game that had raised a few questions in McIlroy’s mind.
“I think he’s played similar golf before, but he is now finishing it off. He’s had an unbelievable summer,” McIlroy said.
“With the close calls and then finally getting the job done in Atlanta and obviously had an unbelievable Ryder Cup – I am very lucky he’s my foursomes partner. Then the win in India and playing well again last week in Abu Dhabi.
“Yeah, he’s been a world-class player for a long time, but I feel the close calls this year, then finally getting over that hurdle, I feel like he’s elevated himself to that next level.”
When asked if he’d noticed any changes in Fleetwood before his win at East Lake, McIlroy pointed to his reaction after sealing victory at the season finale.
“I would never say I questioned how much he wanted it. But like…he has always been so nice…so nice! And I’m like: ‘Is he too nice?’”
“Because you need to have that little bit of edge, pr***k in you whatever you want to call it. I know I have it and I feel like that is what you need to win.”
The Northern Irishman added: “I think it is harder for Tommy to feel than others because of how nice and empathetic he is. But I feel like he has developed that little bit of edge this year.”
Tommy Fleetwood doesn’t agree with Rory McIlroy’s doubts about him
Before the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Fleetwood was asked if he thinks he has shown that nice guys can succeed on the PGA Tour.
“I hope so,” Fleetwood said. “Hopefully the same amount of people that liked me before still like me now. I think, yeah, I don’t know what that stigma is about like too nice to win or nice guys — you know, nice guys can win, of course.
“I think I’ve always prided myself on being a good person, a nice guy, but I also love playing golf and competing. I just, for whatever I hadn’t done before or hadn’t won tournaments or hadn’t gone my way, I felt like I just continued to learn and grow as a competitor as well.
“But no, I definitely looked at things and tried to analyze what I did right and what I did wrong. Hopefully Rory still thinks I’m a nice guy.”
If there’s one thing that stands out about Tommy Fleetwood away from the course, it’s how genuine he is with everyone he meets.
The Englishman has never been short on intensity either – something plenty of coaches and fans have noticed over the years.
This year will give him even more chances to show McIlroy – who meant his comments in good faith – just how competitive he can be when it matters most.
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