St. Andrews, Scotland …
It comes as no surprise Tommy Fleetwood is missing his best friend, Francesco Molinari.
“Moliwood’, as the duo were affectionately named last week in France, teamed to win four of four matches for their victorious European Ryder Cup team.
And while Molinari, who went on to secure a first in European Ryder Cup history in winning five of five matches, has taken the week off, Fleetwood tees-up in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The reigning European No. 1 was first asked his feelings three days after the europhia of helping capture the Ryder Cup.
Tommy Fleetwood reveals his ‘seperation anxiety is high’ in missing his Ryder Cup victory team-mate, Francesco Molinari. (Photo @tourmiss)
“Seperation anxiety is high right now,” Fleetwood said smiling.
So, has Fleetwood spoken to Molinari since leaving France?
“I sent him (Molinari) a text last night just to say that I missed him, but we haven’t spoke this morning yet, so it’s a struggle,” said Fleetwood trying to keep a straight face.
“It’s nice to sort of get back to it. I had a night at home. Again, I haven’t really sort of come out of the bubble of the team yet, of The Ryder Cup Team. So this will be back to reality. It was nice to kind of hit balls again. Sort of spoke last night about just resetting with guys that I work with, but you know, overall, it’s just nice to keep reliving in your career, which is definitely like the No. 1 experience I’ve ever had as a golfer.
‘Moliwood’ – Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari.
“So you’re still sort of — like it’s nice to be reliving, but again, like I’m in such a buzz, that it would be nice to kick on and finish nice and strong.”
Ahead for Fleetwood is a goal of not only capturing a second Tour title this year but also improving on his current No. 3 standing in the Race to Dubai as he currently trials Molinari by some Euro 1,830,000.
And after the ‘high’ of last week’s Ryder Cup, I asked Fleetwood the importance now of focussing on the remainder of his season.
“There’s still six or seven tournaments left on my schedule. There’s still certain goals that I have. I’d love to win again by the end of the year in December,” he said.
“December will be our time off and we’ll go away for Christmas and new year and really switch off for a while. For now, it’s keep working. You don’t know how you’re going to feel after The Ryder Cup. It’s such a buildup to it and such an intense week, you don’t quite know what happens after it or how you feel, and at the moment I feel okay and I feel like it would be nice.
“I think this week is the perfect week to, it’s either be at home and rest up, or I think it’s the perfect week with it being the — the format, I play with Ogden (Phipps 11) every year. I think it’s the perfect kind of week to follow where it will be — St Andrews is my favourite course, and you know, one of my favourite places to come.
“So having so many good things about the week; the Pro-Am format where it will be light-hearted but still tournament mode you’re playing, I think it’s the perfect week to follow. I’m okay. I could honestly sleep for a week, I’m sure,
but I feel all right physically at the moment.”
