Tommy Fleetwood captured his first PGA Tour title, winning the FedEx Cup in his 164th start and breaking his long wait for a US victory. The triumph provoked an outpouring of cross-political support, with fans chanting at East Lake and high-profile figures tweeting congratulations, creating a temporary social-media truce. A 2023 Sportico survey noted PGA fans skewed conservative, yet Fleetwood attracted universal affection. Observers compared his broad appeal to universally-rooted athletes such as Messi, Alcaraz and Luke Littler. Fleetwood celebrated with an emotional scream of joy and embraced Ryder Cup teammates.
But Fleetwood's FedEx Cup victory, his first in 164 events on the PGA Tour, also reinforced something else. Everyone loves Tommy. Right. Left. Maga. Liberal. Whatever. It doesn't matter. At East Lake they were chanting his name as he lifted the trophy while on X, Tiger Woods, Adam Sandler and Caitlin Clark all tweeted their support. Even on social media, so often a cesspit of anger and bile, the equivalent of a Christmas Day armistice broke out.
Yet in our hyper-polarised world, where sides are taken and battle lines drawn, Fleetwood is one of the few male sports stars for whom we universally root. How many others come to mind? Leo Messi, Carlos Alcaraz and Luke Littler, for sure. Scottie Scheffler and Justin Rose too. Until last week I would have said Eberechi Eze as well. But after that my list soon dries up.
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