After keeping a low profile for much of their public life together, Clare Fleetwood stepped out to support her husband, Tommy, at the Ryder Cup on Wednesday.
The European golf star’s wife had previously avoided the spotlight due to scrutiny over their 23-year age difference, but she was all smiles at Bethpage Black as Team Europe kicked off the prestigious tournament.
European WAGs Show Their Support
Clare joined other European golf wives, including Shane Lowry’s wife Wendy Honner, in matching white outfits, waving flags and cheering on their men during the Ryder Cup’s Opening Ceremony.
Fans had speculated whether Clare would attend this year’s event, given her past comments about feeling “paranoid” over public reactions to their marriage.
Overcoming Public Scrutiny
In a 2023 interview on the Performance People podcast, Clare opened up about the pressure she felt from fans and the media when their romance first became public.
“It was way more at the beginning,” she said, reflecting on the early days of their relationship.
“It was big news in our circle, so I was a little paranoid about all that, really. But I had full faith once we fell in love.”
Family Comes First
Clare’s absence from Tommy’s first PGA Tour win last month in Atlanta was due to a family health issue rather than public scrutiny.
Their son from a previous marriage, 17-year-old Murray Craig, underwent a spinal operation, requiring Clare and her family to remain close to home.
Fleetwood later shared, “They actually just got home before we got home. He had three and a half weeks in the hospital.”
A Love Story That Spans Years
Tommy and Clare first met in 2015 through his brother.
Initially working together in a professional capacity—Clare served as Tommy’s agent—their relationship evolved into romance, culminating in marriage two years later.
The couple now has a son together, Frankie, while Clare has two older children from her previous relationship.
Navigating a 23-Year Age Gap
Clare has admitted that the age difference initially made her cautious. “Of course, I turned him down.
I was like, ‘Don’t be stupid,’” she said. But persistence paid off, and Fleetwood won her over.
“She just eventually gave in, I think, and thought, ‘I’ll just give him some time. I’ll give him the time of day and then we’ll go from there,’” he recalled.
Clare’s Role Beyond Marriage
As Tommy’s manager, Clare plays a hands-on role in all aspects of his career—from sponsorships to logistics, PR, and finances.
She admits this dual role can be intense: “I look at one question—it might have 15 answers for me.
It’s a little more complicated because I see things from every angle.” For her, managing Tommy’s career isn’t just a lifestyle choice—it’s a business one.
Shared Backgrounds and Northern Humor
Fleetwood credits their shared working-class roots for strengthening their connection.
“We share a very northern sense of humor,” he said. “Our parents brought us up in similar ways—kindness, toughness, and wanting to be the best you can be.”
That common ground, he adds, makes both their personal and professional partnership stronger.