Tommy Fleetwood is currently reveling in the glow of his Ryder Cup victory, an achievement that marked a historic moment for European golf. After an exceptional performance at Marco Simone, where he contributed three pivotal points to his team’s triumph, Fleetwood now finds himself back on the familiar greens of St. Andrews. This legendary golf course holds a special place in his heart, and he has often spoken of his deep affection for it. This week, he is paired up with amateur golfer Ogden Philips II, as he sets his sights on clinching his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
However, despite the euphoria of his Ryder Cup victory, Fleetwood has been haunted by a new concern, one that revolves around his footwear. During a press conference, Fleetwood openly expressed his anxiety about the shoes he wore while sealing Europe’s victory at Marco Simone. These Ryder Cup-themed shoes hold immense sentimental value for him, and their pristine condition is of paramount importance.
Fleetwood’s affection for European-themed shoes is undeniable, to the extent that he was initially reluctant to wear them at this year’s Alfred Dunhill event, fearing they might be damaged. Ultimately, his love for these special shoes prevailed, and he decided to sport them on the course. However, the weather conditions in Fife, Scotland, where the Alfred Dunhill Links Tournament is being held, are less than ideal. Overcast skies and occasional rain have created muddy fairways, and it is precisely this mud that has Fleetwood worried about the fate of his cherished shoes.
During the first day’s press conference, when asked about his shoes, the 32-year-old English golfer candidly remarked, “Yeah, they are the only ones I’ve got. I actually didn’t really want to wear them. I was like, I’m going to ruin these shoes.” As a six-time DP Tour winner, Fleetwood is determined to exercise caution while navigating the fairways and bunkers to ensure his prized footwear remains unscathed.
However, it’s important to note that Fleetwood’s desire to protect his shoes does not diminish his competitive spirit for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Despite the event pairing amateurs with professionals as a team, the three-time Ryder Cup champion has his sights set on victory. He spoke of his dream to have a picture taken on Swilken Bridge with the championship trophy, highlighting the significance of winning this tournament to him.
Fleetwood’s association with Nike has been a longstanding one, even after Nike ceased production of golf clubs in 2016. He continued to wear Nike shoes, transitioning from Nike Air Max 90G to Nike Tiger Woods ’13 shoes in 2023. However, this year’s Ryder Cup saw the release of a special European-themed Nike Air Zoom Victory 3 golf shoe, adorned with words like “prestige,” “tradition,” and “passion” on the insole. Fleetwood’s reluctance to part with this single pair of Ryder Cup shoes speaks volumes about his attachment to them.
