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via Reuters

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via Reuters

If there is any golfer who defines resilience and hard work, it is Tommy Fleetwood. The English professional, who has been among the top names, ‌struggled to find a win at the PGA Tour until the 2025 playoffs. But despite the hard times and struggles, the golfer has continued to stay positive and hopeful to change the record. In 2025, he was close to winning with six top-5 finishes, including a T2 finish at the Travelers Championship. In fact, at the St. Jude Championship, he was in the lead after three rounds, but failed to maintain it in the final one.

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He still shared with hope of changing it on his social media, “With every disappointment, I truly know I’m closer and closer and even more determined than ever that I will get this done. The support I’ve received is invaluable and hugely appreciated, we’ll get there together!” With gratitude towards the fans for their support, he has been lucky enough to find the looper who has been with him through thick and thin. But there are only a few who know about the invaluable contribution of Ian Finnis in a golfer’s journey. So, let’s dive deep into it to know more about the course support and bagman of Tommy Fleetwood.

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Who is Ian Finnis? His Background and Early Career

Ian Finnis is a Liverpool/Merseyside-based former golfer who was known for his amateur career. Finnis and Flееtwood met when they were teenagers and playing amateur golf in the northwest of England. They both had dreams of becoming professional golfers, but their paths diverged. Finnis played some mini-tour events, but unfortunately, he never made it to the big stage as a golfer.

Later, after giving up the dream of playing professionally, he joined Formby Hall, where Tommy Fleetwood at a young age. He became the Assistant professional there and continued to help teen and amateur golfers. Along with the club-pro work, he used to caddie for teens. In fact, he caddied for Fleetwood long before he turned full-time caddied at Lytham and the British Amateur.

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But his career took the biggest transition when he switched from a stable-club-pro post to a full-time caddie in 2016.

How Did Finnis Become Tommy Fleetwood’s Caddie?

Fleetwood, after turning professional in 2010, hit a slump by the end of 2015, as he was struggling with his swing. Hе needed a change. That’s when he called Finnis, and he started caddying for him temporarily, hoping that his old friend could help him rediscover his form. The pair reunited on the course in the spring of 2016. The results of their collaboration were impressive. Flееtwood finished the second half of 2016 with four top-10 finishes on the DP World Tour. He won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January 2017, his first victory after 1,247 days.

The 6x European Tour winner dedicated his victory to his caddie, saying, “A lot of hard work has gone into it, but I think I’m more happy for Finno than I am for me!” The golfer, who struggled to make the cuts in the first half of 2016, was suddenly back on track. He found his rhythm, and the family, trust, and stability brought in by Finnis worked wonders for the golfer.

What Impact Has Ian Finnis Had on Fleetwood’s Career?

After turning professional, Fleetwood clinched his first victory at the 2013 Johnnie Walker Championship, and the count stood still for almost 1200 days. He even suffered the biggest career slump in 2016. But soon after Finnis took the responsibility, the golfer found the redemption path. Until now, the golfer has clinched 6 titles and four major top-5 finishes. In fact, the golfer who was once ranked 188 is now inside the top 10. It all happened with the great mentorship from Finnis; he, since joining in 2016, helped him with reassurance, club selection, and green reading.

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Well, away from his contribution in professional life, the duo shares a great bond personally as well. Fleetwood in the past has quoted his caddie saying, “a best mate” and “like having family on the bag.”

The strong bond both on and off the course has been the key, but the pivotal moment for both was in choosing a career path that aligned and a partner that they trusted. The result of which is known to all.

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