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Tommy Fleetwood's rise from a 'mini-celebrity' at 11 to competing for the Open Championship on home turf

Born and raised in Southport, Tommy Fleetwood used to sneak onto the course at Royal Birkdale with his dad when he was a young boy - now the golfing star will be competing in the 154th Open

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Rebecca McGrath Regional Identity Reporter

16:30, 13 Jul 2026

[Golfer Tommy Fleetwood aged 11 with his Sefton Sports Achievement award in June 2002]

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Golfer Tommy Fleetwood aged 11 with his Sefton Sports Achievement award in June 2002(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

Long before he was competing for major championships and representing Europe in the Ryder Cup, Tommy Fleetwood was an 11-year-old golf-mad youngster with a dream.

Born and raised in Southport, Tommy used to sneak onto the course at Royal Birkdale with his dad, Peter, and first learned the game on local municipal courses before developing into one of the country's brightest young talents. His dedication was evident from an early age, with junior competitions quickly becoming stepping stones towards a professional career which will see him line up at his home course this week for his 12th Open Championship.

Tommys rise has been anything but overnight. From junior successes in Southport to becoming one of Europe's leading golfers, his career has been built on years of hard work, resilience and a love of the game.

[Golfer Tommy Fleetwood in June 2002]

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Golfer Tommy Fleetwood in June 2002(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

The ECHO delved into our archives and found photographs that capture the future star at the very beginning of his remarkable journey before he established himself among the worlds elite.

He first came to our attention in 2002, though, when he was being recognised at the Sefton Sports Awards. Tommy, who was just 11 at the time, was celebrated with a Junior Sports Personality of the Year Award and described, with remarkable foresight, as a breathtaking talent.

It was PGA professional Norman Marshall who used those prophetic words, while Tommy was also described as a mini-celebrity.

Meanwhile, Tommy's dad remarked that the costs of the prodigy's early career "will all come back the day Tommy wins the Open".

[Tommy was described as "one of the countrys brightest golf prospects" in 2002]

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Tommy was described as "one of the countrys brightest golf prospects" in 2002(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

A report from the Southport Visiter in 2002 read: Young Tommy Fleetwood with his award TOMMY Fleetwood , aged 11, and 70-year-old George Carter two exceptional golfers for totally different reasons have been honoured with awards by their local sports council.

"Tommy is one of the countrys brightest golf prospects a multi-tournament winner against older, bigger boys, handicap 11 and already hitting the ball 230 yards.

PGA professional Norman Marshall who sees him regularly at the Leisure Lakes Golf Centre, near Southport says: He is a breathtaking talent, by far the best I have ever seen, unbelievable.

[Park Golf Club Club Captain Peter Peter Devereux presents a young Tommy Fleetwood with Player of the Year trophy at the clubs presentation in 2006]

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Park Golf Club Club Captain Peter Peter Devereux presents a young Tommy Fleetwood with Player of the Year trophy at the clubs presentation in 2006(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Before an audience of more than 300, including other sports personalities at Formby Hall Golf Club, Tommy received his award of Junior Sports Personality of the Year.

It came with the backing of representatives of the Sefton Sports Council, Sefton Leisure Services, Merseyside Sport and Sport England.

Tina Parr, club development officer for Sefton Sports Council, said: It was felt his achievements and commitment at such a young age rightly deserved the recognition. With the continuing support of his family, golf club and coaches, Tommy has a bright future as a professional and one of Seftons top sporting champions, following in the footsteps of fellow club member and award winner George Carter.

They both play at the Park club, Southport and Tommy also plays at Southport and Ainsdale.

[Golfer Tommy Fleetwood with Lancashire Amateurs Trophy pictured in 2006]

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Golfer Tommy Fleetwood with Lancashire Amateurs Trophy pictured in 2006(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Tommy became the youngest player to reach the regional finals of the Golf Foundations Weetabix Championship. He has been Player of the Year and matchplay under-18 champion three years running at Sefton Juniors.

The remarkable story continues. Two weeks ago in the Wessex Masters for under-14s, he finished second, beaten by one shot, the result of an inexplicable loss of putting form.

Last week in the Lancashire Schools under-15 tournament, on a day of strong winds, he finished sixth with 81 gross in a field of 140. Not surprisingly, he has received his Lancashire call up to play in the boys under-14s against Durham boys at Darlington next month,

He is a mini-celebrity now, featured on radio and TV and with a company to organise his golf programme.

[Young golfer Tommy Fleetwood from Southport with the Titliest Footjoy Amateur Order of Merit trophy pictured in January 2011]

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Young golfer Tommy Fleetwood from Southport with the Titliest Footjoy Amateur Order of Merit trophy pictured in January 2011(Image: Liverpool Echo)

That would have included the Junior World Championships in San Diego, California this summer. He was invited to play but the anticipated cash support to help with expenses never came and he was unable to go. It is an expensive business supporting a young golf star.

With petrol, accommodation and food, it recently cost about 400 for Tommy to play just one tournament in the south. But it will all come back the day Tommy wins the Open, says his father, Peter.

He, for one, has no doubt that will happen.

Tommy is currently third favourite with the bookmakers though and the lowest-priced Englishman in the field for this years event at Royal Birkdale, which begins on Thursday.

The 35-year-old will be determined to break his duck. Fleetwood joined the golfing elite last August when he made his major breakthrough in the United States by capturing The Tour championship for his first PGA Tour victory, along with The FedEx Cup and its $10million first prize.

This vctory had been coming after going close on many occasions and is proof that he is now very much ready to go to the next step and win a Major. If he achieved it this weekend at Royal Birkdale it would thrill his many fans in Merseyside and would be the perfect homecoming for the local boy made good.

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