Walk onto the range at a PGA Tour event and you'll see a lot of the same things. Players in crisp polos, caddies lugging massive bags, and agents hovering in the background with clipboards. But if you look at Tommy Fleetwood, you’ll notice something a bit different. The woman handling his business isn't just a suit from a massive agency. She's his wife.
Clare Craig (now Clare Fleetwood) isn't your typical "WAG." Honestly, she hates the term. She’s the Vice President of Europe for Hambric Sports and has been the tactical brain behind Tommy’s rise to the top of the world rankings.
But let’s be real. When people talk about Clare Craig and Tommy Fleetwood, they usually aren't talking about tournament logistics or endorsement deals. They’re talking about the age gap.
The Rejection That Almost Ended the Story
It wasn't exactly love at first sight. At least not for Clare. When they first met back in 2015, Tommy was a 24-year-old up-and-comer from Southport with messy hair and a lot of potential. Clare was 47, a seasoned executive who had already spent years navigating the high-stakes world of sports management.
She actually turned him down.
"Don't be stupid," she told him when he first made his feelings known. You’ve got to respect the bluntness there. She was his manager first, and the idea of dating a client who was 23 years younger seemed like a recipe for a professional—and personal—disaster.
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Tommy didn't back down, though. He’s known for his patience on the greens, and he applied that same steady approach to his personal life. He eventually wore her down, or as he puts it, she "eventually gave in." They started dating in late 2015, and by the time they got married in the Bahamas in December 2017, the doubters in the golf world were already starting to quiet down.
Why the Age Gap Works for the Fleetwoods
In a 2023 interview with The Times, Tommy was pretty open about the "comments" they get. People love to talk. It's human nature. But for Tommy, the 23-year difference is basically a non-issue.
He’s always been mature for his age. Maybe it’s the pressure of professional golf, or maybe he’s just an old soul. He often jokes that he looks old because of all the sun he gets on the course, while Clare looks much younger than she is.
But beyond the aesthetics, there's a practical side to this. Clare provides a level of stability that few young athletes have. She’s seen the industry. She’s handled the egos. When Tommy had a massive slump in 2016 and fell to World No. 188, she wasn't just a supportive spouse; she was a manager who knew how to navigate a career crisis.
"She judges situations better than you do when you're playing all the time and you're so single-minded," Tommy once noted on the Performance People podcast.
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Managing the Career and the Kitchen
Managing your spouse sounds like a nightmare to most people. How do you transition from arguing about a sponsorship contract to deciding what’s for dinner?
The Fleetwoods actually tried to hire a different agent at first. They wanted to keep work and home separate. But Tommy realized pretty quickly that he couldn't find anyone he trusted more than Clare. She wasn't just "the wife helping out." She was—and is—one of the best in the business.
They eventually moved their home base to Dubai, partly to escape the UK weather and partly for the lifestyle it offers their family. It’s a blended family, too. Clare had two sons, Oscar and Mo, from her previous marriage to Andy Craig. Then, in September 2017, they welcomed their son, Franklin (affectionately known as "Frankie" to fans).
Seeing Tommy caddie for his stepson, Oscar Craig, on the Challenge Tour in 2024 was a huge moment for fans. It showed that this isn't just a business arrangement or a high-profile marriage. It’s a genuine family unit.
Accomplishments and the 2025 Breakthrough
For a long time, the "narrative" around Tommy was that he was the best player never to win on the PGA Tour. He had the DP World Tour wins, the Ryder Cup heroics, and the Olympic silver medal, but that elusive American win stayed just out of reach.
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That changed in August 2025 at the Tour Championship.
When Tommy finally hoisted that trophy and claimed the FedEx Cup, the spotlight naturally turned to Clare. While she wasn't physically in Atlanta for the ceremony—Oscar was there representing the family—everyone knew her fingerprints were all over that victory.
She’s been the one keeping him grounded through the "almosts" and the "what-ifs."
What Most People Get Wrong About Them
The biggest misconception is that Clare is just a "manager" in name only. It’s actually the opposite. Tommy is the one who says he hates it when she talks about him as an individual because, in their world, everything is a family decision.
They’ve become "pioneers," as Clare calls it. In an industry that can be very traditional and, let's be honest, a bit judgmental, they’ve proven that an unconventional setup can be the most stable one.
Actionable Insights from the Fleetwood Model
You don't have to be a professional golfer to take a few cues from how Clare and Tommy run their lives.
- Trust is the ultimate currency. If you're building a team—whether in business or life—prioritize people who have your back when things go south.
- Don't over-segment your life. We’re often told to keep "work" and "home" in separate boxes. For some, like the Fleetwoods, blending them with clear boundaries actually creates more harmony.
- Ignore the "industry" noise. If they had listened to the gossip in 2015, Tommy might not have the career he has today. Focus on the results, not the optics.
- Patience pays off. Whether it's Tommy waiting for his first PGA win or waiting for Clare to say "yes" to a date, persistence is usually the differentiator.
The reality is that Clare Craig and Tommy Fleetwood have built a partnership that works because it's built on professional respect first and romantic love second. In the chaotic world of pro sports, that’s a rare and powerful combination.