Tommy Fleetwood got brutal three-word response after asking out wife with 23-year age gap

Tommy Fleetwood and his wife Clare have been married since 2017, but their journey to the altar was not without its challenges. The professional golfer, now 33, initially met Clare in 2015 when she approached him to become his agent. Despite their professional connection, Tommy was instantly drawn to Clare and asked her out on a date. However, he was met with a blunt rejection. Clare, who is now 56, simply told him, “Don’t be stupid,” citing their 23-year age difference as the primary reason for turning him down.

**Clare’s Initial Rejection**

Reflecting on those early days, Clare shared with The Sun, “We’ve got a 23-year age difference. Of course, I turned him down. I was like, ‘Don’t be stupid’.” Her reaction was understandable given the significant age gap between them. Nevertheless, Tommy was persistent and continued to ask her out until she eventually agreed to give their relationship a chance. As their romance blossomed, Clare continued to represent Tommy professionally, blending their personal and professional lives seamlessly.

**Building a Family Together**

The couple married in 2017, and Tommy became the stepfather to Clare’s two children from a previous relationship, Oscar and Mo, who are now 17 and 16 respectively. They also welcomed a son of their own, Frankie, who is six years old. Despite the age difference and the challenges it might pose, Tommy has embraced his role as a stepfather. He often faces questions about his children due to their varying ages, but he proudly describes them as a tight-knit family.

**Tommy’s Views on Their Family Dynamics**

Speaking on Barstool Sports’ podcast, *Fore Play*, Tommy discussed the unique dynamics of their family. “The whole family – we’re unbelievably close. There’s Oscar and Mo and they are the two older ones and then there’s Frankie,” he said. He added that when people inquire about his kids and their ages, they are often surprised, leading him to explain the blended nature of their family. Despite these conversations, Tommy never sees Oscar and Mo as anything less than his own children, noting, “I’ve been around them a long time now. Particularly Mo, I think I’ve been a, I guess, a parental figure to Mo since he was five.”

**The Foundation of Their Relationship**

Tommy attributes much of their relationship’s strength to their shared background and sense of humor. Both he and Clare hail from working-class northern England, which has fostered a mutual understanding and a similar approach to life. In a previous interview with *The Times*, Tommy mentioned that their shared sense of “Northern humour” keeps them close and motivated to be their best. “We share a very northern sense of humour. We’re both from working-class backgrounds — when you look at our parents they brought us up in a similar fashion, whether it be in terms of kindness or toughness or wanting to be the best you can be,” he said.

Tommy’s relationship with Clare showcases how love can overcome societal expectations and challenges, creating a strong and united family despite their age difference.