Tommy Fleetwood, a top English golfer and close friend of Shane Lowry, offered encouragement following Lowry’s challenging finish at the Cognizant Classic earlier this month. Understanding the pressures that come with the sport, Fleetwood related to Lowry’s disappointment, having himself endured tough moments before breaking through on the PGA Tour at last year’s Tour Championship.
Lowry, the 2019 Open Champion, faltered down the stretch at PGA National, losing by two strokes after dropping four shots in his final three holes. Fleetwood’s support as a respected ball-striker and empathetic companion has been invaluable during this difficult period for Lowry.
Tommy Fleetwood’s Forecast for Lowry’s Future Success
Addressing the media at TPC Sawgrass, Fleetwood expressed confidence that Lowry’s victory is imminent and likely to be significant. He explained,
“There’s no doubt Shane is going to win, like probably pretty soon and it could be something really, really big,”
conveying his belief in Lowry’s talent and resilience.
Fleetwood highlighted that past experiences, including near misses and setbacks, contribute to the learning process that prepares players for success. He observed that while winning tournaments can be a challenging feat, it is a natural progression for a player of Lowry’s caliber, who has already accumulated multiple victories and performed strongly in international events such as the Ryder Cup. Fleetwood noted,
“I don’t necessarily think it’s like a pressure thing. I think it’s just the fact that, you know, winning a tournament maybe just needs to happen and then he’ll win a bunch maybe.”
Guidance and Reflection Offered by Fleetwood to Lowry
When asked what advice he would give to Lowry following his recent near-miss, Fleetwood emphasized the value of being in contention even if victory does not follow.
“Yeah, of course I would talk to Shane and I would say what I would say to myself,”
he said, encouraging an outlook that values the experience of competing at the highest level.
He shared a personal perspective, explaining that being competitive on the closing holes, even if it results in a narrow loss, is preferable to not being in contention at all. Fleetwood recalled his own feelings after Bay Hill,
“I would have rather been in contention on the last hole and hit it in the water and lost by one than, you know, finish 49th.”
He described how support from friends on tour, through words of encouragement and shared understanding, helped him persevere through setbacks.
“There will be times that I do that again and I’ll get the same thing from my friends, and I’ll do the same to guys where it doesn’t happen and then you celebrate the times that it does.”
Fleetwood concluded with strong confidence in the value of perseverance:
“I always believe you’re better at being there and it not quite happening than not being there at all.”
Importance of Fleetwood’s Support in Lowry’s Journey
Fleetwood’s perspectives shed light on the emotional and competitive challenges players face on the PGA Tour. His advice underscores the importance of resilience and camaraderie in professional golf. For Shane Lowry, who continues to strive for a breakthrough win after recent disappointments, this encouragement from a trusted friend and accomplished golfer offers both motivation and reassurance.
As Lowry continues competing, Fleetwood’s prediction signals optimism that a significant and well-deserved victory is on the horizon, reflecting the patience and determination required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
