Tommy Fleetwood, who tees off at The Open Championship on Thursday, and wife Clare have both addressed how they dovetail their personal and professional relationship

Tommy Fleetwood and wife Clare have made their personal and professional relationship work(Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Tommy Fleetwood once admitted that life with his wife and manager could never be called normal.

The English golf star, 34, married Clare, who is 23 years his senior, in 2017. She had been Tommy’s manager before their relationship took a romantic turn. Due to the significant age difference, Clare initially resisted his advances before they eventually became romantically involved. They have one 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together, Frankie, while Clare has two 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren from a previous marriage.

Tommy, who begins his Open Championship challenge at Portrush on Thursday, attributes much of his golfing success to Clare’s influence, both at and away from tournaments. He has admitted that while their relationship would not be regarded as ‘normal’ by some, it works perfectly for him and their family unit.

Speaking ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National near Paris, he spoke of the couple’s preparations for the tournament and her passion for English soccer team Manchester City. He told The Telegraph: “We had a lovely time searching for a dress for the gala dinner.

“She’s a big Man City fan and she’s going to bring a little bit of north-west football fannage to the Ryder Cup.” He added: “No, I don’t think we’ve ever been called the norm.”

The couple questioned whether they could maintain their professional relationship, with Clare contemplating stepping down from her role as his manager. However, after a trial period, they concluded that their professional alliance could continue alongside their personal one.

The Fleewoods after Tommy won silver at the 2024 Olympics(Image: Reach PLC)

Tommy said: “It works very well. I do as I’m told when needed to. When we started, we obviously never knew how it was going to go, and I think we were always open to the idea if it didn’t work, then we’d try something else. But luckily for us, we get on so well.

“I guess it’s our relationship in a way, but we’ve not had any trouble yet. But then, my entire backroom is formed with people I class as friends first and colleagues second. It’s just the way I am.”

The pair initially gave it six months to see if it would work after exploring other management options for Tommy. Speaking on the Performance People podcast in 2023, Clare said: “As we were sat there listening to different proposals, I’m like, ‘I can do this.’

The Fleetwoods at Wimbledon earlier this month(Image: Clive Bruns𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁/Getty Images)

“But I just for some reason at the beginning thought I couldn’t and I shouldn’t. Then we gave it six months, and it worked, so we carried on.”

Discussing how they balance their work-life relationship, Clare explained: “I talk about work a lot, I can’t help it, but I do make a conscious effort [to switch off]. I can see sometimes in his face that he’s had enough, which is quite often!

“We put an office in the house and if I need to talk to him about work, he’ll come in. The only thing we needed to get right was me not talking about work all of the time.

“Tommy’s happier going off reading a book, listening to podcasts, he meditates. I’ll go off to work if I’ve got a spare hour. That’s my weakness in a way. It was never the plan to work together.”