England’s Tommy Fleetwood says he ‘can’t win’ as he addressed his critics and provided an update on his absent caddie Ian Finnis before the 2024 Masters.
Fleetwood was without Finnis at the 2018 U.S. Open owing to the imminent birth of his son.
“Other than that, he’s done every tournament with me,” the Englishman told reporters on the eve of the first major of the year.
Fleetwood, 33, has turned to Augusta National caddie master Gray Moore for this week’s competition.
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Moore has since retired from that position but now works as a regular caddie for the club, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
Fleetwood didn’t reveal what exactly is wrong with Finnis, who also missed last week’s Valero Texas Open, but he said that Finnis is ‘desperate’ to get back.
“He’s not been well all year,” Fleetwood said, who is grouped with American duo Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa for the first two rounds here at Augusta.
“At the moment he’s at home trying to recover and get the right treatment.
“Hopefully he’ll be back out sooner rather than later. Yeah, it’s definitely different being without him.
“Like we’ve been together every tournament for the last eight years pretty much.
“So, yeah, we just wish him all the best. The sooner he can get better, the better for all of us.
“Everybody has been asking about him, which has been great. I know he’ll be desperate to come back out here as soon as possible.”
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Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood has knocked on the door in several major championships over the last few years.
To date, he has compiled six top-five finishes but is yet to break through in a major despite his success on the DP World Tour and in Ryder Cups.
In an interview with Telegraph Sport before his first round, Fleetwood said he is looking to prove his American critics wrong.
“You’d think so,” Fleetwood joked when it was suggested he is at the stage where he should know ‘everything’ about this course.
Fleetwood told the paper of his critics: “It doesn’t both me.”
He added: “It’s funny, but when I am really consistent they have a go at me for not winning and then when I do win and have an inconsistent spell they also have a go at me.
“So I can’t really win whatever I do. I just try to be honest with myself and keep putting in the work. That’s all you can do.”
Fleetwood is not the only player who is without their regular caddie this week.
Another English hope, Tyrrell Hatton, is without Mick Donaghy after the Glaswegian took a tumble and hurt his shoulder during last week’s LIV Golf event in Miami.
Justin Thomas has also parted ways with legendary caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay last week.
Thomas has not provided a detailed explanation as to why they parted ways.
He has turned to Matt Minister this week. Minister is best known for his stint with Patrick Cantlay.
Butch Harmon told GolfMagic he was ‘shocked’ to see Thomas and Bones split. Read more about that here.
