Tommy Fleetwood returns to Wentworth after Tour Championship breakthrough

Tommy Fleetwood will return to competitive action this week at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after claiming his first PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, saying the outpouring of support from fans and friends meant more to him than the victory itself.

The 34-year-old, speaking to BBC Sport, said: "People being happy for me is bigger than any win," and added that the many messages he received — from fellow athletes to fans — made the triumph especially meaningful. Fleetwood's win at East Lake earned a $10m winner's cheque and came on his 164th PGA Tour start.

Fleetwood said he enjoyed a short period of reflection after his breakthrough, reviewing what had gone right while also returning quickly to work. "I learned from all the losses, you learn from the wins too," he said, adding that he spent a few days reliving the moments before focusing on the rest of the season. He headlines a field at Wentworth, where the DP World Tour flagship event runs from Sept. 11-14.

Family circumstances tempered Fleetwood's immediate celebrations in Atlanta. His stepson, Murray, who recently underwent back surgery, missed the trip as he recovered in hospital for three and a half weeks. Fleetwood said Murray is now recovering well and will be at Wentworth to support him.

Fleetwood has won seven times on the DP World Tour but his only professional victories on home soil came early in his career at the Formby Hall Classic in 2011 and the British Par-Three Championship in 2013. This week presents a chance to secure a first DP World Tour flagship victory on English soil and to improve his standing in the Race to Dubai; Fleetwood said he sits 94th on that list and a strong performance at Wentworth would lift his position markedly.

The Englishman also framed the tournament in the context of the Ryder Cup, with Europe set to defend the title at Bethpage in New York later this month. Fleetwood, who will make his fourth Ryder Cup appearance, said the event remains a highlight of his career and he welcomed the intensity of an away crowd. "I hope US fans don't dislike me too much for a week," he joked, while acknowledging the advantage home fans can provide.

Fleetwood has produced sustained form through 2025, recording eight top-10 finishes, including a joint third, a fourth and victory in the three PGA Tour playoff events in August. With the Ryder Cup team already selected, he said the next weeks will include team gatherings and a practice trip ahead of the transatlantic contest.

While celebrating the Tour Championship milestone, Fleetwood stressed that he is intent on building momentum. "This week's a big week for me," he said, noting the importance of staying present as he balances individual tournaments and the wider goals of the season, including representing Europe at Bethpage and improving his DP World Tour ranking.