'I played golf with a 10-year-old Tommy Fleetwood'

David Gascombe remembers Tommy Fleetwood's work ethic as a junior

A man who played golf with champion Tommy Fleetwood when he was 10 years old says he knew he "would be a superstar".

On Sunday, when Tommy Fleetwood finally claimed his first US golf title at the 164th time of asking, you could be certain some of the wildest celebrations were taking place over the Atlantic in his birthplace of Southport.

But the cheers were just as loud down the road in the town of Formby, home to Formby Hall Golf Club, where the 34-year-old's journey really started to show promise.

"Myself and the whole of Formby are really proud of him, we're buzzing," David Gascombe, who trained alongside Fleetwood as a youngster and is now the golf director of the club, said.

"Obviously there's been a few near misses of late but we knew he'd get it done."

From the moment the pair first met at the club, he had no doubt he was in the presence of golfing greatness.

"He just oozed with confidence and always put in the most hours of work out of all the juniors because he knew that was what it took for him to do what he has done," Mr Gascombe said.

"Even now when he's here at the club he always speaks to everyone. He's so likeable and you can see the Americans have taken to him so well."

Janet O'Connor, Formby Hall Golf Club president, said she was "elated" by Tommy's win

Since Fleetwood turned professional in 2010, his ties with the club have only strengthened, culminating with the 2019 opening of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy Formby Hall, under the leadership of his first coach Normal Marshall.

His dad Peter is also still a member at the golf club and visits regularly.

"His parents brought him up to be so grounded, level-headed and it's stuck with him," said club president Janet O'Connor.

"He's also one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. What he's like being interviewed on the TV is exactly how he is.

"We're elated because we've known him since he was a boy and he's been such a good ambassador for the club, as well as for golf."