Guardiola video gets Fleetwood firing

from JEREMY CROSS in Versailles

TOMMY FLEETWOOD has had a Pep talk in a bid to help him deal with the pressure of his Ryder Cup debut.

Fleetwood has revealed he has been sent a video message of support from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ahead of the clash between Europe and Team USA in Paris.

The 27-year-old is close friends with Guardiola, who is a self-confessed golf nut and was playing with Fleetwood when he discovered City had been confirmed as Premier League champions last season.

The duo play regular rounds together and Fleetwood admits some kind words from the Spaniard will help him deal with what lies ahead at Le Golf National.

He said: “We have these motivational videos in the room and he was one of the guys that sent a message to me.

“He might make it over. We always talk quite a lot. We are both busy in our respective jobs, but we talk a lot, and he’s somebody that’s great to know.

“He’s obviously been part of the team for a long time. He was at the Ryder Cup in Medinah and that was one we’ll always mention as being one of the greatest times he’s had in his life.

Cherished

“It has a special place in his heart, the Ryder Cup, and he’s been very supportive through the whole thing. Maybe we’ll see him, I don’t know. I don’t know when Manchester City’s next match is.”

City are at home to Brighton on Saturday afternoon, while Fleetwood has been picking the brains of some of his more experienced team-mates in a bid to cope with any first tee nerves.

The giant grandstand around the first hole can hold up to 6,000 and, while he admits he will be shaking with nerves, he insists it is a moment to be cherished and embraced. Fleetwood, who is one of five rookies in Thomas Bjorn’s side, added: “Playing in America a bit more this year, the guys that I’ve sort of spent time with are the guys that have played it a lot more.