Frankie Fleetwood stole every heart back in 2024 after his shots kept splashing into Ike’s Pond. Then the six-year-old promised to try his hardest, even though he could not reach the green the next year. Now, with another year of experience, the question remains: is he finally ready to cross the pond? His father, Tommy Fleetwood, thinks so.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a big talking point in our house. I’m unconvinced that he can carry it. He obviously thinks very positively that he can. As long as he hits a good shot, I’m kind of OK with it,” Fleetwood said coming into this week’s Valero Texas Open.

“It’s great, and it’s something for him to look forward to. I always think the Masters is so unique in that it is one of the biggest tournaments you’ll ever play, but then you have such a lifetime experience of joy on Wednesday that’s so different in that par-3 contest. It’s so unique in that way, so special,” Fleetwood said.

“Yeah, I’m excited for the week. I feel like I’ve prepared well. I’ve been lucky enough to play a bunch of Masters now. Experience is on my side in a way, as well as a lot of people’s. I’m excited to go there; I’m excited to play. Frankie, you know, will be trying his hardest.”

Frankie failed to reach the green again in 2025 on the ninth tee. After falling short of his target, Frankie then gave the interview with veteran-like sincerity.

“Well, I’ve been doing my hardest to get it over the green. I’ve been practicing as hard as I can. Just not reaching it this year, but I’m trying my hardest.” 

At the time, it was not just Tommy Fleetwood, the media, and the fans who were left amused by the interview. Fellow pros Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also laughed. Lowry, unable to hold back his amusement at the boy’s poise, jokingly said, “Fleetwood’s having him on media training already!”

The Augusta Par-3 Contest, a tradition like no other, always offers these kinds of lighthearted moments.

In 2025, McIlroy’s four-year-old daughter Poppy sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole by just tapping it in. The resulting cheer from the patrons and Lowry was so loud that Poppy actually became overwhelmed and hugged her father.

The 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth delivered a classic fatherhood moment when he was caught on a hot mic telling his daughter, Sophie, not to eat the grass while they strolled the grounds.

But while Wednesday is for fun, Fleetwood knows that the rest of the week requires a high level of focus.

Tommy Fleetwood’s path to Augusta National

As for Fleetwood, who is making his 9th Masters start in 2026, the experience last year wasn’t so good. He barely made the cut at the 2025 Valero Texas Open, scuttling through the weekend with a bruising final-round 81 to finish T62. He carried that shaky rhythm into Augusta, where he ultimately finished tied for 21st at 2-under par, never truly threatening the lead.

This performance was a sharp contrast to 2024. After a scruffy Florida swing where he felt he had lost his swing, Fleetwood threw the Valero Texas Open into his schedule as a last-minute addition. He played brilliantly, finishing T7, and found the rhythm he needed. One week later, he secured his career-best Masters result, a T3 finish achieved with the help of local Augusta caddie Gray Moore, who filled in for a sidelined Ian Finnis.

This season, Fleetwood is carrying more momentum than ever following his breakthrough 2025 season. He finally secured his first PGA Tour victory at the Tour Championship and the $10 million FedEx Cup prize. He continued his impressive performance into late 2025, winning the DP World India Championship, where he finally fulfilled Frankie’s wish of running onto the 18th green to celebrate a victory.

Fleetwood has stayed hot ever since, and in early 2026, he recorded three top-10 finishes in just four starts, including a T4 at Pebble Beach and a T8 at The Players Championship. And after repping a wide array of golf course logos at basically every Tour stop he’s played this season, the world #4 has found an apparel partner just before his 9th trip to the Masters.