TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 26, 2026

Tommy Fleetwood

East Lake Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll go ahead and get started. We'd like to welcome defending FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood here to the TOUR Championship. Tommy, being back after what was such an emotional victory last year, what are some of the thoughts and memories that kind of come flooding back now that you're back on property again?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: It's lovely to come back, I think. I think that was one of the great things about this tournament. I think, first of all, regardless of what happened the year before, when the following season starts off, it's a goal to make it to this point. I think, if you are in Atlanta at this point or you're at East Lake, I think it's symbolic of a great season.

That's a really nice feeling. I think you see so many familiar faces now over the years here. And, yeah, of course it's always going to hold a special place in my heart for obvious reasons. It's been lovely to come back.

Q. Just reflecting back on last year, your career breakthrough win on American soil, what's the one moment that absolutely stands out from that day, from that achievement that you will always cherish in your heart?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I guess probably just tapping in on the last hole. I think -- things move on very, very quickly, but like when I look back, I think the story that I built throughout the summer and I was getting closer and closer, it was kind of a perfect storm up until this point that came to this, and it was a perfect way to finish.

Yeah, just the satisfaction of knocking that last -- that little tap-in and knowing that it was done. I think that's probably the biggest thing that sticks with me.

Q. Besides all the things that come with winning the TOUR Championship, what did that win do for you as a competitor for your confidence and how you view yourself as a player?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I mean, it didn't really change things that much for me. I think there was just -- up until that point, there was always the questions about when or if I was going to win on the PGA TOUR, and I think those questions would have been internal as well.

So I guess those were answered, and I think I -- for the -- I mean, every other example I had was sort of proving that I got things wrong or it wasn't happening for me, and this one just went my way. I think it's just proof that it will or it can.

Other than that, I think -- I was very aware, winning at sort of a late stage with a lot of experience, I was very aware my game is still the same. I still have to work on the faults that I have or I still have the good parts of my game that I had. It was just about whenever the next tournament was coming on, it was about getting ready for that.

There's always something next, and I think I was just very aware of that. But yeah, ultimately it showed -- it was proof to myself that I could do it and sort of what it takes or that things could go your way when it comes down to that moment, and that was probably the main thing.

Q. You had a very nice year last year, even before you got here, but when you won this tournament, did you feel like you were deserving as being the FedExCup champion? Can you not yell at me and understand where I'm going with this.

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Well, at the end of the day, like the rules are the rules, and that was what the FedExCup was. So yeah, I felt like -- that's just -- as players, we don't get to stipulate how the formats are or whatever happens.

I had a great season last year. Was I the most consistent player or the best player of the entire year? Like maybe not, but the changes in the format meant the TOUR Championship and the FedExCup came together, and that was my week. Yeah, that was just how it was.

To be honest, I don't really think of things like that. It was just like that's what's presented to you at the start of the week and just play.

Q. That's our job to think about things like that. What did you make of what's coming forward in '28?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I think it's exciting. I think any time there's change, I think it's something that's fresh and something that's exciting. Yeah, of course, like one of the biggest points was celebrating whoever was the best -- whoever is the best player consistently at the end of the season and having that separate from what will then be playoffs or match play format.

So I think separating the two, I think, is good and a positive, and it's what everybody kind of wanted to see.

Q. Just to follow on that, in the years since you've been to East Lake, did it ever feel like that separation that you're talking about of season and then final?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Yeah, I guess so. I think you make it to the playoffs, and you know that the FedExCup is then -- I remember -- I'm pretty sure it was Rory saying it in a press conference. I don't know when it was, it was three or four years ago, but he said I think there used to be four playoff events. Maybe it went down to three at some point. He described it as there's now 12 rounds of golf left, 12 playoff rounds, and it's like a 12-round tournament. That kind of stuck with me. So that was kind of how I viewed it.

Like I say, whatever the schedule is, whatever the format is, like that's what's presented to you, and then you just go and play and you try and do your best and whatever comes with that.

I've never been a huge one for looking too much into why it is what it is or how the format is. It's like you play your best and deal with the situation that's in front of you.

So yeah, that's just how I've always done it.

Q. Gary Woodland was just in here a little while ago. Obviously he's gone through a lot. Just curious, from a player's standpoint, how aware are you and others of what he's been dealing with? Also, just how impressed him even getting here? He hasn't made it here since the year he won the U.S. Open.

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I think we're fortunate in sport that you get inspirational stories along the way, and Gary has definitely been one of those.

I think aside from a competitive standpoint, you come out every week, and you're obviously very individual in what you do, but everybody kind of supports each other as well throughout the whole thing. So if you ever see Gary, it's like -- you just want to see people like that doing the best they can.

I think he's been amazing in how he's kind of been open about his journey with us all. He doesn't have to do that for sure. For him to have a great year, like I say, it's one of those inspirational stories that I'm sure touches so many people but also has an impact on a lot of people as well and their individual journeys.

Gary's done amazing this year. At the end of the day, he's an amazing golfer, but he's had to deal with a lot of other things, and it's just shown what you can do in certain situations. And very proud of him.

Q. As a European, do you pay attention at all to the Presidents Cup? Do you look at the Americans' roster construction? Will you pay attention to the pairings they have? Will you have group chats during the actual competition about what you're seeing from the U.S. guys?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: No, not really.

Q. There's no advance scouting going on?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: No, no (laughter).

Q. How is Frankie's game coming along? I'm going to put you on the spot. Is this the year that he finally makes it over the water in 2027?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I don't want to speak for Frankie. I think he's been all right. He's been playing okay. I haven't seen him play for a little bit. I've been away.

Yeah, I think the sort of the biggest issue is me trying to make the Masters so he gets to hit the shots. I've done that now. So now I've got to stay injury-free until the Masters and give him the chance.

We know he can get it distance-wise now, it's just about sharpening up his aim when it comes. I don't know if I'd hit the green on that hole if I'm just given one shot.

Q. It's not that easy of a shot.

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Not really. And then you've sort of wandered around all day, you're in a boilersuit. It's not that simple.

Q. I know you're a golf fan even when you're not playing, but on the Presidents Cup, how do you explain the International Team, which is players that you've competed against for years, not winning since like 1998?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Again, I guess it's -- it's not that easy. Saying I don't pay attention, I did see the six that qualified on the American team, and I was like, yeah, very good at golf. I mean, the American team is so strong.

Yeah, I'm not sure. I think Presidents Cup is everybody plays, so like the deeper the strength in the teams, like maybe that has a role. Yeah, I'm not sure. Again, I would be doing an injustice to say I would look deeply into that or watch adamantly. The timing doesn't necessarily work out for me wherever I am in the world.

Yeah, I'm not sure. I think the International Team consistently have a strong group of guys, and yeah, the Americans just do a really good job of connecting that week and playing some great golf, it seems.

Q. Last year the 1st hole played as the hardest hole here. Can you just talk about what makes it so difficult tee to green?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Tight fairway. I actually think it starts you're teeing off from a putting green and it's really weird. It's high off the tee, and you will have a long shot.

I think definitely the change in the green there has made it very difficult because to leave yourself a shot in where you could probably hole the green with like a mid-iron, you have to hit driver, and you have to take the bunker on as well as the rough. There's that little mound on the right. Yeah, then the green's difficult.

It is just a very difficult opening hole. I think last year -- I obviously hit mini driver off the tee a lot. I swear on one of the days I missed it and had to hit 5-wood in. In that case, it's almost like a par-5. It was one of them, like we looked at it on Monday, and it's certainly spots you can't hit it. It's almost like, if you hit the green, it's a bonus. If not, give yourself an easy up-and-down and just try to get out of there in four.

Q. It's hard for a lot of us to fathom what it must be like to win $10 million in one week. I'm just curious is there anything you did special to celebrate? Treat yourself or parents, caddie, wife, kids, in the aftermath of winning this?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I don't think so. I think -- aside from the obvious, I think, yeah, there was like gifts for the team or something because it was a cool moment and obviously a big milestone. Very, like, very unmaterialistic.

No, there's never anything I have on my radar for when you reach a milestone and what you earn or what you win, that I ever won. So, no, there was nothing special about it.

Q. Aside from the trophy, is there any other mementos you've saved to remember this week in the future, the victory?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I kept all of my little scorecard bits, bits and pieces. I actually gave them to Mo. Aside from that, you have some flags that you get given.

No, like the trophy -- I actually said at the time, I remember when the trophy got delivered, like trophies don't -- not that I've won that many. I'm not an avid winner, but like trophies are cool, but they don't -- like I feel like the moment of winning and what you go through on the back nine and stuff and all of that is a bit more meaningful to me, like I remember that stuff.

Trophies aren't -- like when you have them, it's great. You can look at them. But it's just a piece of silverware. But when the FedExCup came and it got delivered, that was cool. I stood and stared at that one for a bit. That's a nice one.

Q. What's the moment on the back nine that sticks out the most to you?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I think there was a few. There was when I was struggling and I hit a couple of good golf shots on the 12th and a drive on the 13th. I felt that was really important for me. I remember that. I remember going through that.

Getting to 15, like I think stood on that 15th tee, it's such a demanding par-3 and to be in a pressurized situation and to have to hit a golf shot on that hole is always going to stick with you.

Then I think like 18. The hole of the 18th hole starting from the tee shot all the way down, like I would remember that and take that in. I didn't take it in that much as I was doing it, but that stuff's like the things that stick with me.