Clare Fleetwood made a rare and heartfelt public appearance on Wednesday as she joined the European contingent at Bethpage Black to support her husband Tommy at the Ryder Cup.
The 57-year-old has often chosen to stay out of the spotlight, citing criticism of the couple’s age-gap relationship, but this week she was front and centre as Team Europe kicked off their campaign in New York.
Clare, who is 23 years older than Fleetwood, was pictured alongside Shane Lowry’s wife Wendy Honner and the rest of the European wives and partners during the opening ceremony.
The group presented a united front in matching white outfits and waved European flags as the teams were introduced, providing a morale boost before the first tee shots are struck on Friday morning.
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Her appearance comes after months of speculation over whether she would attend this year’s Ryder Cup.
Clare has previously spoken about the pressure she felt in the early days of her relationship with Fleetwood, admitting that scrutiny from fans and industry insiders initially made her feel “paranoid.”
Speaking on the Performance People podcast last year, she reflected: “It was way more at the beginning.
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Tommy Fleetwood pictured with wife Clare Fleetwood at Wimbledon back in July
|GETTY
“It wasn’t really about us, but about what other people were thinking all the time.
“Within the industry, it was big news, so I was a little paranoid about it — but never about our relationship.
“Once we fell in love, I had full faith in it.”
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Tommy Fleetwood married wife Clare back in 2017
| GETTYClare’s absence when Fleetwood claimed his maiden PGA Tour title last month was explained by a personal family matter rather than any desire to remain in the shadows.
Their middle son, 17-year-old Murray Craig, recently underwent spinal surgery and required several weeks of hospital care.
“They actually just got home before we got home,” Fleetwood revealed after his win. “He had three and a half weeks in the hospital.”
The couple first met in 2015 through Fleetwood’s brother, with Clare initially serving as the golfer’s agent.
Their professional relationship eventually blossomed into romance, and the pair married in 2017.
The couple have since made their home in the United Arab Emirates, where they live with their son Frankie. Clare also has two older children from her previous marriage.
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Team Europe and Team USA will do battle at the Ryder Cup this week | GETTYSpeaking about their relationship, Clare has admitted she initially rejected Fleetwood’s advances due to their 23-year age gap.
“Of course I turned him down. I was like, ‘Don’t be stupid,’” she recalled.
Fleetwood, however, persisted and eventually won her over. “She just gave in,” he once joked. “I didn’t mess up.”
Clare continues to play a key role in Fleetwood’s career, managing his business affairs and sponsorship commitments.
“I know everything on every side — sponsorship, logistics, PR, accounts,” she has said.
“Maybe sometimes too much, but it gives me a full understanding of who he is and what we are doing together.”
Fleetwood himself credits their shared working-class roots for their bond, saying the pair share “a very northern sense of humour” and a mutual determination to be the best they can be.