While golf looks like one of the calmest sports, it can actually be brutal, both physically and mentally. Week after week, the travel, pressure, missed chances, and constant demand to perform can turn a dream career into an exhausting routine. Tommy Fleetwood knows that feeling well. Ahead of the 2026 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the Englishman offered a candid look at the side of professional golf that rarely makes headlines.
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“It’s just so important to—I think just having awareness of where you might be one day and what you have dreamt of—I’m definitely never going to be the one that says the game doesn’t get you down week-by-week; you have your low moments, it gets frustrating, and you get upset. Of course, you do,” Tommy Fleetwood reflected when asked if he often steps back to think about how fortunate he is to play golf. “At times, we do travel the world, and you feel a bit lost at certain times, and yeah, you’re on your own on a course. Those times aren’t the best.”
His perspective carries added significance after a challenging 2026 season. He had a breakthrough 2025 campaign, winning the Tour Championship. But this year, in the 19 PGA Tour starts this year, he made just four top-ten finishes with one missed cut. Compared to $18.5M in 2025, down to $7.7M in 2026.
But despite all the challenges, he highlighted the importance of being grateful: “But equally, if I were to tell my ten-year-old self, [I’ll tell] that’s part of the dream as well. That’s what we’ve always wanted. I do think probably our worst days are a lot better than most. I’m kind of aware of that, and I’m very appreciative of all the opportunities I’ve had.”
Amid a challenging season, traveling alone and staying away from family can bring feelings of isolation. But as the eight-time DP World Tour winner noted, those bad days are far better than those of most people worldwide. He and many other professional golfers still get to wake up every day and play the game they love.
Many other professionals have spoken of that grind of playing golf every week. For instance, speaking at the 2026 Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy said he was playing the third week in a row, which he doesn’t do anymore. If someone asked him to play a fourth week in a row, it would be tough for him. Ditto Scottie Scheffler.
“From the moment I step out onto the driving range—if we’re playing at a four-hour pace—that’s over five hours. Five and a half hours if you include this part of my day [the media interaction], where we’re in front of people. And doing that four days in a row in a mental sport can take a toll on you,” Scottie Scheffler said at the Travelers Championship 2026.
Some pros cope with the exhaustion by playing golf, while others take a break. Physical recovery and focusing on what they can control have largely been their idea of keeping things in check.
Coming back to Tommy Fleetwood, he knows these low days are part of being a professional golfer. He has accepted them and feels grateful, regardless of how his game is. And he brings exactly the same mindset to the 2026 BMW PGA Championship a tournament he hasn’t missed since making his debut in 2012.
Tommy Fleetwood discusses his plan for the DPWT flagship event
Tommy Fleetwood has a strong history at the BMW PGA Championship. Over the last three years, he has finished T46, T12, and 6th on the leaderboard in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. That’s why he believes that Wentworth Golf Club suits him.
“It should be a course that suits me. I think you have to play golf—you have to keep the ball in play. It’s a big advantage if you hit fairways and greens in regulation. Your question (whether the course offers chances to shoot 62s and 63s) [the course] gives you birdie chances all the time. So I like the course for that. A lot of short to mid-irons,” Tommy Fleetwood said.
He admitted that the mid-iron part hasn’t really transpired for him over the past few years. But he is relying on good past performances, including the solo sixth finish in 2023.
He is hoping for better than that this year. It could be challenging, though, given his inconsistent form throughout 2026.
For Tommy Fleetwood, the belief that Wentworth suits his game offers a reason to stay positive. As he returns to a familiar setting with plenty still to prove, he remains focused on appreciating the opportunity and making the most of another week doing what he loves.