Ryder Cup hero Tommy Fleetwood looks unrecognisable without iconic long hair

Tommy Fleetwood has not always had his iconic long hair, photos from his amateur days have revealed.

The Ryder Cup hero is instantly recognisable on the course with his shoulder length locks and beard.

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However, a young Fleetwood sported a completely different look at the beginning of his career.

Following Europe’s triumph at Bethpage Black last September, The R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) shared a series of throwback snaps of the victorious team on social media.

Among them was a picture of Fleetwood on the course before joining the professional ranks.

Prior to adopting his iconic long hair, he sported a short and simple cut along with no facial hair.

The look leaves the teenager looking unrecognisable compared to how fans know him today.

Fleetwood enjoyed an impressive amateur career before turning pro aged 19 in 2010.

His early years on the course saw him win both the Scottish Amateur Championship and English Amateur.

He also prepared for his future Ryder Cup heroics by representing Great Britain & Ireland at the 2009 Walker Cup.

The amateur team event against the USA follows a similar format to the professional tournament.

Fleetwood would also reach third in the world amateur rankings before featuring on the Challenge Tour.

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Since turning professional, he has collected 12 individual event wins.

Of those, eight have been on the European Tour, most recently winning the inaugural DP World India Championship in October.

Fleetwood endured an agonising wait for his maiden PGA Tour triumph, clinching his first victory last August after 164 events and six runner-up finishes.

The 35-year-old won the Tour Championship to become FedEx Cup champion at East Lake.

He followed up that win by inspiring Europe to their first away Ryder Cup win since 2012.

Fleetwood won four of his five matches as Luke Donald’s side clinched a 15-13 victory.

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The Olympic silver medallist was also named as the recipient of the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award at the end of Sunday’s singles action.

Previous winners of the award, presented to the player who best embodies the spirit of the event, include Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose.

Fleetwood, currently ranked fourth in the world, will now be hoping to kick on this year in search of his first major title.

He has seven top five finishes in golf’s biggest tournament, claiming third at the 2024 Masters.

The Open is being held at Royal Birkdale this year, just a stone’s throw from Southport in Merseyside where Fleetwood was born.