Tommy Fleetwood had his doubts when Luke Donald made a bold decision at the 2023 Ryder Cup, but it paid of handsomely when the Englishman secured the return of the trophy to European hands

Luke Donald was proved right after making a Ryder Cup decision that Tommy Fleetwood did not agree with(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Tommy Fleetwood admits he did not agree with Luke Donald’s decision to send him out late in the Ryder Cup singles two years ago, but it worked out perfectly as the Englishman became the man to seal Europe’s victory in Rome.

Fleetwood, who is one of five players who have already qualified for Donald’s team to defend the title at Bethpage next month, was sent out in the penultimate match of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, taking on Rickie Fowler.

It proved to be a masterstroke from captain Donald, with Fleetwood holding his nerve to defeat the former Players champion 3&1. When Fowler conceded Fleetwood’s birdie putt on the 16th, the Englishman could not lose the match, and Europe’s victory was confirmed, sparking jubilant scenes for the men in blue. They face a very different challenge this time around, though, with Bryson DeChambeau sending a chilling warning when his place on the American roster was confirmed.

Europe has an experienced captain to rely on in Donald, though, who masterfully steered his team to victory two years ago. Fleetwood is thrilled to be working with the former world No. 1 again, and believes he has been fortunate to work with three captains who have understood what makes him tick throughout his Ryder Cup career so far.

“I think the Ryder Cups that I have played, I would say I know no different, but I’ve been very comfortable with Thomas, Padraig, and Luke in terms of them knowing me very well, being very close to me,” Fleetwood said ahead of this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake.

“Yeah, the job of the captain, I guess, is to give us the best platform for us to play, like, with confidence and with freedom. I think I’ve been lucky in the captains that I’ve had that I’ve had great relationships with them before any of their captaincies have come along, and they’ve sort of understood me as a person.

Fleetwood struck the winning blow for Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup(Image: 2023 Getty Images)

“In the last Ryder Cup, I didn’t particularly want to go out No. 11 in a way. It was just late on, we were ahead, and I just didn’t feel like that was a spot that I wanted to be in

“But Luke actually told me afterwards why he wanted me there, and that was a great thing, and in the end, I was very grateful for the opportunity.

“But I think just been lucky with the guys that know me very well and know how to read me and how to get the most out of me.”

Fleetwood was the third player to secure his spot on the European team after Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. Bob MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton have since secured their spots on the 12-man team.

The final automatic qualification spot will be decided at this week’s Betfred British Masters, held at The Belfry, which hosted the 2002 Ryder Cup.

Shane Lowry is in possession of the final spot in the top six, but he is not playing at The Belfry, teeing it up at East Lake instead.

It means the door is open for Rasmus Hojgaard, whose twin brother Nicolai debuted in Rome, to snatch sixth place. He needs only a 29th-place finish or better to displace Lowry and punch his ticket to Bethpage.