Fleetwood out to make his mark in America

TOMMY FLEETWOOD has spent his evenings here marvelling at the Santa Monica sunset but this morning it’s all about another bright new dawn in the Englishman’s blossoming career. In the company of Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar for the first two rounds of the Genesis Open, the 27-year-old (below) will begin life as a PGA Tour member with the same quiet resolution that has seen him rise to the summit on the European Tour and reach the giddy heights of 12th in the world rankings. Where better than Hollywood to continue the fairy tale. This trip is all about Tommy laying down a marker. ‘It’s the start of another chapter and winning a PGA Tour event is the next logical target,’ he said. ‘But it’s all about trying to keep doing what I’ve been doing over the past year and continuing to play well.’ Fleetwood sets out on his American road trip that will conclude with a second outing at the Masters in April brimming with confidence. Three points from three matches at the Eurasia Cup was followed by a wondrous defence of his Abu Dhabi title — featuring a back nine of 30 on Sunday that has already entered tour lore — and a top-six finish in Dubai. ‘While playing in Europe, it was tournaments like the Genesis Open that caught my imagination and when you get here it doesn’t disappoint,’ Fleetwood said. ‘In a way it will be like trying to prove myself all over again. All the American pros have come up and said, “Well done,” which is nice of them.’ It is a measure of Fleetwood’s growing stature that he should be drawn alongside local hero Mickelson and Open runner-up Kuchar for his PGA Tour baptism. Fleetwood will stay with friends in Orlando while he’s here, with wife Clare and son Frankie making the trans-Atlantic treks. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to take to it,’ he said. ‘But if you want to be considered among the world’s best, you have to do it in America as well. It feels wonderful to have this opportunity.’