YEARS – Golfing Agency https://golfingagency.com Golf news & updates Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:55:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5 https://golfingagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cropped-GA_favicon-32x32.png YEARS – Golfing Agency https://golfingagency.com 32 32 Winter golf gift guide 2022: Sweater season and a must-have putting mat are on this year’s list https://golfingagency.com/winter-golf-gift-guide-2022-sweater-season-and-a-must-have-putting-mat-are-on-this-years-list/ Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:55:16 +0000 https://golfingagency.com/winter-golf-gift-guide-2022-sweater-season-and-a-must-have-putting-mat-are-on-this-years-list/

With 2022 coming to a close, there are innumerable options available for the golfer in your life. Clubs, shoes, clothes, hats and books. It’s all a bit overwhelming.

We’re going to highlight a few intriguing options for this year’s holiday season through the new year. Some are appropriate based on the season, while others are just a bunch of fun.

Let’s take a look at some of the products available as 2022 moves into 2023.

Holderness & Bourne Ward sweater ($175 | Holderness & Bourne): This is my favorite sweater Holderness and Bourne makes. It’s incredibly versatile — I wore it to a wedding last weekend but have worn it on the golf course as well — as well as extraordinarily comfortable. Full send on pretty much all H&B sweaters (full disclosure: author is outfitted by Holderness & Bourne).


H&B

Prime Putt putting mat ($299 | Prime Putt): There are two things I love about this putting mat. The first is the quality of the turf. Prime Putt calls it “Tour-grade turf” and that’s the right way to describe it. Even when you put it on carpet, the ball rolls so well. The other is how easy it is to roll up and store. I’ve tried other putting mats that were a nightmare to keep in the home, and this one is the opposite of that. My kids cannot stop putting on it.


Prime Putt

Ralph Lauren cashmere hooded sweater ($330 | Ralph Lauren): This is one of the more expensive products I’ve ever included in this gift guide, but I also cannot stop wearing this hoodie. It’s as comfortable as material gets and looks great in any and all environments. Light but warm, sharp but casual, the Ralph Lauren cashmere hooded sweater is a tremendous golf product.


Ralph Lauren

TRUE All Day Ripstop ($220 | TRUE): I have yet to try a TRUE product I didn’t enjoy. These golf shoes are no different. They were “crafted to keep you moving comfortably when you opt outside while simultaneously leaving a light footprint on the planet,” and I think TRUE accomplished that goal here. Again, my favorite thing about TRUE is how versatile its products are. The shoes don’t look out of place when you wear them off the golf course and into a cofee shop or on a date. One shoe to rule them all, and TRUE is making a run at that.


TRUE

Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Tab socks ($20 | Swiftwick): I’m always in need of better socks, and these Swiftwicks are a really solid product. They’re light but not too light (I don’t want to feel like I don’t have any socks on at all), and it’s easy to envision them lasting years and years. Swiftwick says they are good for fitness, running, golf and racket sports, and I’m sure that’s true but I enjoy them just as much for lounging around the house.


Swiftwick

Seamus yardage book cover ($95 | Seamus): The Seamus products are all of the highest quality, and this yardage book cover is no different. Though Seamus makes a variety of yardage book and scorecard holders, the leather versions are certainly my favorite.


Seamus

PGA Tour 2K23 (Price varies): The latest edition of PGA Tour from 2K offers more options than ever before. Whether entering MyCareer mode for an authentic PGA Tour experience, creating your own dream courses or competing in TopGolf activities, playing golf on a console has never been better. There are more controls and options than ever before, and you can even start from scratch with MyPlayer, which has new archetypes and skills along with licensed gear and apparel. You can even buy a bundle with NBA 2K23.



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2022 Zozo Championship leaderboard: Rickie Fowler positioned for first Tour win in more than three years https://golfingagency.com/2022-zozo-championship-leaderboard-rickie-fowler-positioned-for-first-tour-win-in-more-than-three-years/ https://golfingagency.com/2022-zozo-championship-leaderboard-rickie-fowler-positioned-for-first-tour-win-in-more-than-three-years/#respond Sat, 15 Oct 2022 15:23:52 +0000 https://golfingagency.com/2022-zozo-championship-leaderboard-rickie-fowler-positioned-for-first-tour-win-in-more-than-three-years/

It has been a long three years for Rickie Fowler and on Sunday at the 2022 Zozo Championship he has an opportunity to squash all his past critics. Getting around Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club with a 4-under 66 on Saturday, Fowler stands at 14 under through three rounds and commands a slim lead over Keegan Bradley at 13 under, Andrew Putnam at 12 under and Viktor Hovland at 11 under.

Playing in the final pairing alongside Putnam in the third round, Fowler hardly looked as if he was a year removed from his last contention run. Two birdies on his outward half were accompanied by three on his inward half and only one bogey — his lone blemish over his last 36 holes.

While the collective golf public will be at the back of Fowler in the final round of the Zozo Championship, his return to prominence will not come without stress. Fowler has struggled as a 54-hole leader throughout his tenure on the PGA Tour, converting only two of eight prior chances into victories including his last triumph at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open.

Last in this position at the 2021 CJ Cup at The Summit Club, Fowler struggled early and often 51 weeks ago and ultimately gave way to Rory McIlroy. There is no McIlroy in this field, but that is not to say his pursuers can be glanced over. Bradley can ball-strike with the best of them, Putnam is in the midst of a stellar seven-tournament stretch and Hovland is well, Hovland and capable of just about anything.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this situation. Last year at CJ [CUP] was in a similar situation, but other than that, there hasn’t been much the last few years,” Fowler said. “Obviously remember being in those situations before, but no, it will be tough tomorrow, but also fun. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m going to have to play well and continue to do what I’ve been doing the last three days. Keegan [Bradley], Putty [Andrew Putnam] on down the list, there’s plenty of guys within a few shots. I’m out front, in control, but that can change if I don’t execute like I have been.”

The leader

1. Rickie Fowler (-14)

Fowler began the week congratulating Tom Kim and his former caddie Joe Skovron on their victory at the Shriners Children’s Open and now he finds himself in position to grab a trophy of his own. Motivation has never been fleeting for Fowler as critics run wild and his recent swing changes only empowered those to come out of the woodworks. 

The iron play has looked extremely sharp through three rounds, but more importantly, he is starting to putt like vintage Fowler again. While many like to point to his full swing as the cause of his poor play, it has actually been the flat stick which has let the 33-year-old down. Losing strokes on the greens the last two seasons on the PGA Tour, he has quickly rectified this situation. While the full swing will surely come under pressure in the heat of contention — and the driver should be on the eyes of viewers — with Fowler it has and always will come down to the putter.

Other contenders

2. Keegan Bradley (-13)

3. Andrew Putnam (-12)

4. Viktor Hovland (-11)

T5. Maverick McNealy, Cameron Champ, Hayden Buckley (-10)

T8. Sahith Theegala, Taylor Moore, Tom Hoge, Ryo Hisatsune, Joel Dahmen, Matthew NeSmith (-9)

Earlier this week, a question was posed on the First Cut Podcast whether Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young or Hovland will capture the most victories in the 2022-23 season. My CBS Sports colleague Kyle Porter was the lone man to select Hovland and must be grinning at the moment.

Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club is an exquisite fit for the Norwegian as he is one of the best ball strikers in this field and has displayed this through 54 holes. Hitting all 18 greens in regulation in Round 3, if Hovland is able to keep things this stress free on Sunday, it may be him and not Fowler who notches a win for Oklahoma State.

“It’s just kind of simple golf. Like there’s not too much water, but there’s just some really good tee shots out here. Not the widest fairways and the rough is penal, so you’ve got to drive it well,” Hovland said. “If you put it in the fairway, you’re going to have a lot of good short irons with the greens being so soft and pure, so you can really attack the pins, and if you get the putter going, you can make some birdies.”

2022 Zozo Championship updated odds and picks

  • Rickie Fowler: 11/5
  • Keegan Bradley: 12/5
  • Viktor Hovland: 6-1
  • Andrew Putnam: 15/2
  • Maverick McNealy: 20-1
  • Cameron Champ: 25-1
  • Hayden Buckley: 40-1
  • Sahith Theegala: 40-1
  • Tom Hoge 45-1
  • Matthew NeSmith: 60-1
  • Taylor Moore: 75-1
  • Joel Dahmen: 80-1

The heart says Fowler gets off the schneid and wins the Zozo Championship. His price is relatively fair and I don’t mind indulging just for the fact it is Fowler. Unfortunately, golf has a way of ripping hearts out and Hovland may be the player to do just that. 

The world No. 11 will need to hit a few more fairways, but for a driver of his caliber, this should be achievable. He has quietly become one of the best putters in the world dating back to last summer and combined with his ball-striking prowess, he will put a ton of pressure on Fowler, and possibly enough to break him. 



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New Year’s Resolutions that Will Improve your Golf Game https://golfingagency.com/new-years-resolutions-that-will-improve-your-golf-game/ https://golfingagency.com/new-years-resolutions-that-will-improve-your-golf-game/#respond Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:08:05 +0000 https://golfingagency.com/new-years-resolutions-that-will-improve-your-golf-game/

Top New Year's Resolutions that will improve your golf game

As the New Year is in full swing, we take this time to reflect back on all of the decisions and memories we made in 2017. The New Year is a time to set personal goals for yourself both mentally and psychically. Whether you’re an avid golfer or play the sport as a hobby, there is always room for improvement while out on the course.

Top New Year’s Resolutions for Every Golfer

Stay in Shape

A little extra baggage isn’t always a bad thing. However, by losing some you can drastically change your posture, in turn improving your swing. Not only will your posture improve, but you will also start to feel better. Start walking the course instead of taking a cart.  A little sweat will pay off in the long run.

There are also exercises you can take part in to stay in shape. Golfers of all fitness levels can partake in them as they don’t require any sort of special equipment. Start turning these into your daily routine. Trust me, you will see results before you know it.

Getting Organized

Now is the perfect time to get organized. Yes, it may be difficult to break that old habit of forgetting items before heading out to the course. This is why sticky notes are your best friend. Anytime you think of something, major or minor, write it down. This will help you gain more focus in your everyday tasks, especially while you are out on the course.

Make this the year to travel hassle-free. Don’t be that guy lugging your clubs through the crowded airport. Take the time to book your golf bag shipment in advance with Ship Sticks. To ensure the process goes smoothly, have your bag ready to ship on the day you select. Remember, staying organized throughout the year, is an essential part of improving your game. Now grab your sticky notes and get to writing.

Enjoy Life to The Fullest

Start living in the moment. It is easy to reflect back on a game where you didn’t shoot your best. Don’t let this get to you. Make this an opportunity to enjoy being out on the course. Soak up every moment of your horrible swing and score. You can only move forward from here.

Start thinking more about life’s greatest pleasures, which is of course golf. You’re probably wondering, how in the world do you do this? It is simple. The answer is Ship Sticks. They save you time, so you can spend more precious moments on the course with your buddies. Live in the now and savor every chance you can get this year to play golf.

Mark a Course Off your Bucket List

Every golfer has that one course that they are dying to play. Make it a goal this year to plan a trip with your buddies to play it. Call them up and start planning. Not sure where to begin? We can happily assist you as we have gathered up some ways for you to ensure your trip is a success.

Make your trip happen sooner rather than later. We know you are itching to tee off somewhere. Is it Ireland, Canada or right here in the United States? Wherever your bucket list course is, we can help get your clubs there.

Start Planning

Now, start planning your next trip, call up your buddies and get to booking. Ship Sticks is ready to simplify your travel experience this year. We want you to make memories! Make it happen. Make it simple. Make it Ship Sticks.

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2022 Fortinet Championship leaderboard: Last year’s champion Max Homa near lead again in first event of season https://golfingagency.com/2022-fortinet-championship-leaderboard-last-years-champion-max-homa-near-lead-again-in-first-event-of-season/ https://golfingagency.com/2022-fortinet-championship-leaderboard-last-years-champion-max-homa-near-lead-again-in-first-event-of-season/#respond Fri, 16 Sep 2022 18:37:43 +0000 https://golfingagency.com/2022-fortinet-championship-leaderboard-last-years-champion-max-homa-near-lead-again-in-first-event-of-season/

A new PGA Tour season — the last with the fall swing as we know it — began on Thursday in Napa, California, with a lengthy weather delay and a pretty fascinating first-round leaderboard. The entire field was unable to finish Round 1 on account of some early fog on the West Coast and a handful of golfers will finish up their first 18 holes on Friday morning.

Let’s take a look at a feel-good story at the top of the board after a partially completed Round 1 and a couple of big names who got their new seasons off to a great start.

The leader

1. Justin Lower (-9): Everybody probably remembers his teary press conference after narrowly missing making the top 125 last year at the Wyndham Championship. Lower later retained his PGA Tour card by being bumped up because some of the players ahead of him in the top 125 moved over to LIV Golf, and he took advantage of it on Thursday at the Fortinet Championship.

Lower’s T8 finish last year at the Barbasol Championship is the best of his career by OWGR points earned, but he’s in a great position to better that and put himself in a great spot to get well ahead of the curve of making the top 125 when this season concludes. Lower said after his 63 on Thursday that a year of experience on the Tour makes all the difference in the world.

“I left this course last year kind of in shock, honestly,” Lower said. “I was like, ‘God, if this is how the Tour is, I need to get a lot better very quickly.’ Yeah, I feel a lot more confident than I did at this point last year just being the last card last year and then being where I am this year, I feel a lot more confident with my game and a lot more comfortable, for sure.”

Other contenders

2. Max Homa (-7)

T3. Ben An, J.J. Spaun, S.H. Kim (-6)

T6. Greyson Sigg, Nick Taylor, Rickie Fowler, Sahith Theegala, Emiliano Grillo, Scott Harrington, Matti Schmid, Sung Kang, Brice Garnett, Robby Shelton (-5)

This dawned on me last year at this very tournament, which Homa won, but he has turned himself into one of the most consistent threats to win on the entire PGA Tour. He shot his third consecutive 65 at this event (dating back to last year when he shot 65-65 on the weekend to win) and picked up right where he left off on his best year ever on the PGA Tour last season. With the Presidents Cup coming next week, Homa’s form is a great sign for the U.S. team and perhaps an even better sign for him as he tries to win this tournament for the second straight year (Brendan Steele did the same in 2016 and 2017).

Rickie’s return

Rickie Fowler has had a rough few years, but he had an awesome Thursday with a 5-under 67, which is his second-best round since the Wells Fargo Championship in May. Contention from him this weekend would be incredibly popular and the absolute perfect start for the PGA Tour to a new season.

“Like we’ve talked, just trying to get back to being more consistent,” Fowler said. “I’ve had some good weeks in the past few years, but it shouldn’t just be a few weeks in those years, there needs to be more. That’s kind of the biggest thing is just getting back to playing some consistent golf, consistently being in contention and having chances to win tournaments.”

2022 Fortinet Championship updated odds and picks

  • Max Homa: +350
  • Justin Lower: 9-1
  • Sahith Theegala: 12-1
  • J.J. Spaun: 14-1
  • Emiliano Grillo: 14-1
  • Hideki Matsuyama: 20-1

I think Homa has the best chance to win, but I don’t like his number here. I’d rather have Theegala at 12-1 or even somebody like Adam Svensson — who was fifth in strokes gained tee to green on Thursday — at 55-1.



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2019 New Year’s Resolutions For Golfers https://golfingagency.com/2019-new-years-resolutions-for-golfers/ https://golfingagency.com/2019-new-years-resolutions-for-golfers/#respond Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:57:41 +0000 https://golfingagency.com/2019-new-years-resolutions-for-golfers/

Golf New Year's resolutions for every type of golfer

2019 is here and it’s a great time for golfers to start on some New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s improving your game or visiting a new course, there’s plenty for golfers to work on. Forget about the bogey’s of 2018 and start 2019 on a clean slate with these resolutions.

Improve Fitness

One of the best ways to improve your golf game is to stay active. Adding just 30 minutes of cardio can greatly improve your game. Activities like jogging or bike riding can better your breathing to help you recover post play.

Travel to a Major on The PGA Tour

Top New Year's resolutions for golfers is to travel to a major on the PGA Tour

If you are a golf fan, then visiting a major is on your bucket list. The pageantry of golf’s biggest events is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Witnessing a Major in person is akin to watching history unfold. When travel planning for a Major, make sure to make preparations early.

Practice Your Short Game

Best New Year's golf resolutions is to practice your short game

The short game can be overlooked by golfers when they talk about improving their overall game. As impressive as it is to hit a long drive, golfers can easily miss a birdie because of their short game. That’s why working on chipping and putting helps golfers improve their scores.

Tune Up Your Clubs

One way to help your game is to give your clubs a tune-up. Over time, the distance and flight of your clubs alter. Applying new grips, regrooving wedges, or having the loft and lies inspected can help maintain your clubs integrity.

Take a Buddy Trip

Golf resolutions for the new year is to take a buddy trip

Solo golf adventures are fun, but it can be more fun when playing a new course with a friend. Awesome experiences are meant to be shared, which is the perfect opportunity to make travel plans with friends. Not only can you play a new course, but you can check out local restaurants and bars.

Make 2019 a year of great golf memories and experiences!

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MacGregor celebrates 125 years with discount offer https://golfingagency.com/macgregor-celebrates-125-years-with-discount-offer/ https://golfingagency.com/macgregor-celebrates-125-years-with-discount-offer/#respond Mon, 12 Sep 2022 07:41:09 +0000 https://golfingagency.com/macgregor-celebrates-125-years-with-discount-offer/
Byron Nelson, Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Greg Norman, Lee Janzen, Johnny Miller, José Maria Olazabal, and many others on the list of all-time greats, sit alongside perhaps the greatest of all time, Jack Nicklaus, as players who have trusted MacGregor clubs on the biggest stages in golf.

125 years after the Crawford, McGregor and Canby company switched the application of its unique lathe technology from shoe lasts to golf clubs, MacGregor Golf is still producing innovative, high performance golf equipment that is helping all levels of golfer enjoy the game.
While the brand’s focus in recent years has been away from the Tour, the on-course needs of golfers has still driven everything that the brand does.

The new-look MacGregor has built its reputation on offering high quality products at affordable prices

“When the opportunity came to buy MacGregor, I was struck by the responsibility for the reputation of such an iconic brand,” commented Graeme Stevens, owner of the MacGregor brand in the UK and Europe. “The brand was at a low point, so I stripped it back to the principles from the days of Crawford, McGregor and Canby. They saw a gap in the market to use modern technology to supply mass-produced, high-quality golf clubs. Within 10 years they were exporting 100,000 clubs a year to the UK from their Ohio base.

“For us, we knew there was a space in the market for high quality products that delivered performance at an affordable price. In the spirit of the brand’s forefathers, we set about becoming the number one supplier to that market and I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made towards that goal.”

Whether you’re looking for performance clubs from the V FOIL range including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids or wedges; stylish, innovative practical golf bags; or affordable premium package sets that have been consistently reviewed as the best in class, MacGregor has something for every golfer.

And to celebrate the brand’s 125th year in the golf business, MacGregor is giving a 50% discount on golfers’ first order on www.macgregor-golf.com – excluding sale items – to the first 125 people who sign up to its mailing list.

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TOMMY FLEETWOOD REFLECTS ON 10 YEARS ON TOUR – Golf News https://golfingagency.com/tommy-fleetwood-reflects-on-10-years-on-tour-golf-news/ https://golfingagency.com/tommy-fleetwood-reflects-on-10-years-on-tour-golf-news/#respond Sat, 10 Sep 2022 20:47:10 +0000 https://golfingagency.com/tommy-fleetwood-reflects-on-10-years-on-tour-golf-news/

After making his professional debut in 2010, Tommy Fleetwood has been a permanent fixture in the world’s top events over the last decade. Still only 30, the proud Lancastrian is confident that he has the game and the mentality to add to his winning tally and bag that elusive major title

 

How would you some up your performances in 2021 and where you are in the game right now?

It’s been a tough year, no question. Your game ebbs and flows and you find form and you lose form. I think the standard of golf on tour at the moment is a joke – in a good way. I remember shooting five-under during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this year and moved up just two places on what was a hard golf course. I think when you aren’t playing well, it’s just getting highlighted more – courses are tough, the margins for error are getting smaller, and it’s hard to get momentum when it’s like that.

I’m happy that I started to play well again towards the end of the season, but the honest answer is that I simply haven’t managed to string four good rounds together in the same week. I was almost there at the Italian Open in September, where I put in three-and-a-half decent rounds and finished second, and I had a couple of top-10 finishes last month, but you’ve got to do it over 72 holes to stand any chance of winning or being in contention these days. Being up there and hitting shots under pressure was great, but I just need to be up there more often.

At the end of the day, for what’s been a bit of a struggle of a year, I played well in The Open, I played in the Olympics, and I earned an automatic place in the Ryder Cup team, so it wasn’t all bad. Having said that, my world ranking has slipped this year and I need to get that back up to ensure I’m in all the big events next season.

It was obviously disappointing to be on the receiving end of such a heavy defeat in the Ryder Cup, but from a personal viewpoint was it frustrating not to be involved in more matches?

Of course I would have loved to have played in every match, but I also I felt like I could do a good job in the fourballs. I thought the pairings that Padraig put out in all formats were great. We had 12 amazing players. We had good strength in depth, so it was not surprising that Padraig didn’t ask me to play five matches.

I would have loved to have done better in the fourballs, and I think the foursomes pairings that went out were right, and they were really good. We weren’t that far away in each match, but, as you say, we ended up on the receiving end of a heavy defeat. It seemed like all the crucial moments went against us. They holed a lot more putts than we did and that made the difference.

We really didn’t perform as badly as a team as the final score suggests, but still getting thumped really hurt us and it brought us very close together, and I think motivated us all to hopefully come back in two years’ time and win it back in Rome.

Given the strength in depth of the young Americans currently on tour, there has been some talk about how the US college system is creating a stronger pathway into professional golf than the route that many European players are experiencing coming through the amateur ranks. Was going over to the US college system ever an option for you or something you looked at?

I obviously thought about it, because you get to that age where you do think about it, but at the same time, I enjoyed my time playing amateur golf for England and got to travel alot and experience lots of different places. When I turned pro, I was in a situation where I needed to start earning money for my family, so I turned pro at 19 and that was it. I was on my way. 

But I’m really interested in the US college system. I think it produces a lot of amazing players and it is clearly a successful system. I think England Golf, or the English Golf Union, as it was when I was an amateur, have put together a fantastic system, and we produce good players as well. 

Both are good options, and both put you in a strong, competitive environment, and it’s what you then do with that information, and what you take from it, that move you forward, really. There are always going to be talented players either side who come through, but right now the US system is certainly producing some very talented young players. But like everything, it goes in cycles.

■ Fleetwood playing in The Open at Hoylake in 2014 – a venue he will return to in 2023

 

Did you miss playing in front of crowds when Covid restrictions didn’t allow fans in? Are you the type of personality that needs to feed off the energy of the galleries?

No, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t say I’m a show-off in any way, but I think what I do is I love the game, and I love trying to get better, and I want to get the most out of myself. If the crowds are there or not, I’m still trying to do the same things.

     I do agree that there are definitely certain times, certain moments, where crowds bring the best out in sportsmen and women, but there are probably some that benefit from there being no crowds, as well.

In particular, if you look at a major championship and the added element of you’re not just controlling your emotions, you’re controlling what’s happening with the crowd and their energy, as well, listening to cheers going on, whether it’s you or whether it’s somebody else, listening to groans. There’s a lot of added elements, so it does bring a different skill set when there are thousands of people watching.

Personally, the only one I like to be in control of my game is me. So, whether there’s one person watching, no people, or 60,000, I’m just trying to be as good as I can possibly be, and that will always stay the same until I stop playing.

 

■ A dejected-looking Fleetwood reflects with his teammates on Europe’s heavy defeat at last year’s Ryder Cup

 

You finished second behind Shane Lowry in The Open at Portrush in 2019. Does that seem like a lifetime ago now, and what did you learn from that week? Did you see it as a failure not to come away with the jug?
I didn’t see it as failure, but I was certainly very disappointed. I think using the word ‘failure’ can sometimes sound a bit harsh. Finishing runner-up at the Open equalled my best-ever finish in a major. It also depends on how you finish second, as well. It wasn’t like I was three shots clear and threw it away. Elite sport is all about small margins, and you win some and you lose some. I guess it’s how you bounce back from those disappointments that counts.

Judging by some of your best performances, are you at your most comfortable on a links layout?

Yes, links golf is something I feel very comfortable with. I grew up in a links town, and although I wasn’t like a member of one of the links courses, I’ve played on it a lot. When I’m at home I will go and play Hillside quite a bit with my dad, things like that, so links golf is more part of whom I am as a golfer that a lot of other players. It takes a different kind of preparation, but as soon as I’m a links course I feel pretty comfortable with what is needed.

The Open returns to Hoylake in 2023. Could that be a good opportunity to become the first English winner of an Open on English soil since Tony Jacklin’s victory at Lytham in 1969?

Yeah, I think it’s just an amazing opportunity. The Open at Hoylake is very special. I’ve said it many times. For me personally there’s three Opens: there’s Birkdale, there’s Hoylake, there’s Royal Lytham. They’re all within 30-40 minutes of where I grew up. People go their whole lives without playing any kind of event that close to home, and there’s three chances there of the biggest event in the world being that close for me.

It’s very special for me, and I completely see it as opportunity. It’s nerve-racking, yeah. It’s like a different element to the event, but I love it, I really do. I consider myself very lucky that I get to play this tournament as one of the home favourites and to get the support that I do, and I always look forward to it.

You’ve won all over the world, but you haven’t won on the PGA Tour yet. Is that something you’re keen to tick off the bucket list?

Yeah, thanks for reminding me! I think any European player would be lying if they said winning in America wasn’t the next step for them in their career, and I’m no different. I haven’t done it. In the grand scheme of things, winning in America is something that I need to do. 

I’ve had chances and sometimes somebody’s played better than me, and there’s been times when I’ve hit the wrong shot at the wrong time. It is what it is, but I think at the present moment I am pretty happy with where my game is trending and I like the work that I’m doing, so hopefully things will fall into place and I’ll get over that hurdle one day. 

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