Tommy Fleetwood tips young Canadian golfer ranked outside the top 500 for bright future after practice round

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Tommy Fleetwood will perhaps be more keen than anyone to clinch a win at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open.

The Englishman fell at the final hurdle last time out, losing out in a playoff to Nick Taylor after both finished on 17-under.

The Canadian native narrowly came out on top at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Ontario, and will be keen to defend his title at Hamilton Golf and Country Club this time around.

But Fleetwood will also want to be in contention again, with the world number 13 taking part in a practice round with second-year pro Matthew Anderson in preparation.

The latter, having long admired the former, approached Fleetwood near the putting green and asked his idol if a practice round together was on the cards.

Tommy Fleetwood makes Matthew Anderson prediction after Canadian Open practice round

Fleetwood duly obliged, with the Englishman very impressed with what he saw from Anderson on the course.

The Canadian is ranked 509th in the world, but enters this week atop PGA Tour Americas’ season-long Fortinet Cup standings.

“Really lovely guy,” said Fleetwood, as per the official PGA Tour website. “Got a bright future ahead of him. Hit the ball really, really well. He just looked like he was enjoying it a lot, which I think is really important. It’s something that guys forget about at times.

“Happy to have the opportunity to meet someone new and play with him and make a new friend, really, that’s just on the same journey as you.”

Can Tommy Fleetwood go one step further at the Canadian Open?

Fleetwood will have grand plans to clinch success at the Canadian Open, particularly with the US Open rapidly approaching.

The 33-year-old was involved in one of the most thrilling finishes on the PGA Tour calendar in 2023 when Taylor edged him out in the playoff.

In doing so, he became the first Canadian to win his national open in 69 years, with more history on the line this time around given that Canadians haven’t won the tournament in back-to-back years since 1914.

There are plenty among the pack, but the lineup also includes the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Sahith Theegala, with all three in with a good chance of success.

But Fleetwood is in good shape heading into the tournament, with nine out of 10 cuts made in 2024 so far, although he is eager to improve his putting this year.