NEW European No.1 Tommy Fleetwood has shown there is clearly no animosity between himself and Justin Rose by extending an invitation to Rose to attend his wedding next Tuesday in the Bahamas.
Rose went within two birdies of denying Fleetwood the Race to Dubai crown three weeks ago at the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
There were those superb scenes with Fleetwood and his soon-to-be wife, Clare, in the scorer’s hut not knowing he’d won the title and then when it was confirmed there was the sight of Fleetwood and Rose embracing each other.
Fleetwood confirmed the wedding will take place at the exclusive Bahamas resort of Albany and host venue for this week’s Tiger Woods tournament – Hero World Challenge.
Rose and his family are long-time residents of Albany and hosted an informal dinner party Tuesday night, and as they have done the last two years, for the likes of Fleetwood and his family, along with Woods and all other 15 players contesting the elite no-cut tournament.
“The day after Frankie (son) was born I found out I was into this tournament so Clare and I decided it would be a perfect location for our wedding,” said Fleetwood.
“It was going to be a low-key affair as we started out with about 14 family and guests but now the number is about 30, so it’s getting bigger.
It is great that Justin and his wife have agreed to come along and the rest will be close friends and family.
“The big man, Ian (Finnis) my caddy is going to be best man so it all sounds exciting and a great culmination to a great season.
“What would be even better wedding gift would be to have Tiger hand me the trophy on Sunday and having seen the golf course it is one that really suits me eye, so I think I can do well.”
Fleetwood is competing in ‘Tiger’s Tournament’ for a first occasion and aside from a hopeful third victory this year would dearly love to be drawn alongside Woods.
“The first time I saw Tiger was when he walked past me when I was at the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale,” he said.
“I was seven years old and having sat-up watching him win the Masters a year earlier and when he did walk past me it was like this amazing presence.
“Since then I’ve watched him win everyone of his Majors and it is just great to see Tiger back playing golf, and it would be even nicer if I got to play alongside this week.
I still have a picture somewhere back home of him teeing-off at St. Andrews in 2000.”
Rose is naturally delighted to be attending Fleetwood’s wedding.
“It was very nice of Tommy and Clare to invite us as it’s great news and Kate and I are delighted for them,” said Rose.
Rose is also delighted to see Woods, and his fellow management stablemate, finally returning to competition following a 10-month lay-off.
“It’s just so good to have Tiger back as he really moves the needle.
“And being a ‘home’ event for me there is always that little bit of extra pressure especially being in a small place like this as the crowd is never that big.”
Rose had tweeted a picture taken with Woods late on Tuesday that now has drawn enormous interest to Rose’s Twitter page.
“The thing is when I put out a tweet I might get like 10,000 hits but if there is a picture or something about Tiger is like I get 50,000 hits,” he added.
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