Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood were in fine fettle at the Ryder Cup on Friday and their wives were right behind them, including when they beat Bryson DeChambeau and Ben Griffin
Thomas Bristow US Sports Editor and Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer
09:20, 27 Sep 2025Updated 09:24, 27 Sep 2025
Tommy Fleetwood’s wife got the last laugh after being heckled at the Ryder Cup(Image: 2020 Getty Images)
The spotlight at a Ryder Cup naturally shines on the players, yet their wives, partners, parents and children are always right there, living every moment alongside them. Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose’s thrilling victory over Bryson DeChambeau and Ben Griffin on Friday proved no exception.
Walking every hole just beyond the ropes, Clare Fleetwood and Kate Rose endured the full rollercoaster of emotions. For much of the match, the English duo trailed or were locked level.
An early birdie on the fifth from DeChambeau nudged the Americans in front, a lead they preserved until the 11th. But under captain Luke Donald’s watchful gaze, Fleetwood drained a superb 13-foot birdie that went unmatched.
Three holes later, another birdie from Fleetwood pushed Europe into the lead. This followed an unpleasant moment on the first tee when Clare was subjected to heckles, reports the Mirror US.
As Fleetwood stepped onto the tee for his foursomes with Rory McIlroy, a spectator was heard shouting: “Your wife looks like my grandmother.” The jibe alluded to the 23-year age difference between Fleetwood, 34, and Clare, 57. Though the couple are used to comments about their relationship, victory provided the perfect response.
Kate Rose, jubilant throughout, shouted her support and, on the way to the 15th, shared a joyful remark with Clare. Fleetwood’s stepsons were also on hand, soaking in the electric atmosphere with their mother.
Clare Fleetwood was watching on as her husband Tommy took it to Team USA at the Ryder Cup(Image: PA)
Tommy’s birdie at the 16th all but sealed matters, yet DeChambeau’s stunning reply at the next hole reignited American hopes, his perfect tee shot sparking the loudest cheer of the afternoon. That left the outcome hinging on the 18th.
Clare, walking the fairway with her sons, followed as the Europeans struck two excellent approaches to the green. Behind it, she and Kate stood with almost the entire Ryder Cup squad – McIlroy and Shane Lowry the only absentees, still out on course.
When Rose holed a birdie to clinch a 1UP win, the two partners exploded in celebration. They hugged one another and their husbands amid jubilant scenes, surrounded by elated, fist-pumping team-mates.
Fleetwood and Rose helped Europe kick the 2025 Ryder Cup off in style(Image: Getty Images)
Later, both women shared kisses with their partners and embraced again as the celebrations spilled over. For Clare, the moment carried extra sweetness after earlier enduring a crude taunt.
Fleetwood has often spoken warmly about their close-knit family dynamic. “The whole family – we’re unbelievably close,” he explained on Barstool Sports’ Fore Play podcast. “There’s Oscar and Mo, and they are the two older ones, and then there’s Frankie.
“And, you know, honestly, it’s funny because whenever anybody asks, so people that don’t know you, they’ll always say, ‘Do you have kids?’ And, pretty much all the time I’ll say, ‘Yeah, I have three kids,’ and they’ll go, ‘How old are they?’ And I’ll say ’17, 16 and six.’ And then you get the look.
“So then, I’m like, ‘Well I’m not that old,’ so then I’ll have to explain that the first two are step-kids which, honestly, I don’t really, I never really think of them as step-kids. I’ve been around them a long time now.”
