AUGUSTA, Ga. — The most popular golfer on the grounds at Augusta National on Wednesday emerged from the walkway between the eighth green and the ninth tee of the club’s par-3 course, the blond locks flowing out the back of his green hat making him instantly recognizable to the fans waiting behind the tee box.
“Come on, Frankie!” one fan yelled.
“One time Frankie!” another said.
Tommy Fleetwood looked toward the gallery and laughed.
The last hold of the par-3 contest is where the best golfers in the world turn into fans, breaking out their cell phones to video their caddies, wives and children teeing one up and trying to hit the green from about 120 yards away, straight over water.
It is perhaps the most relaxed place on the property. But for 8-year old Frankie Fleetwood, it was serious business.
“Frankie is very set on what he's doing,” Tommy said Tuesday. “He's very excited.”
A year ago at this event, Frankie Fleetwood charmed the entire golf world and became something of a social media sensation for probably the cutest interview in the history of the sport after failing to hit it over the water.
“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 just trying my hardest,” he said on Sky Sports.
What made the interview so memorable wasn’t just his composure, it was that you could practically hear his father’s voice — the cadence, the accent, everything — coming out of little Frankie. And in many ways, it felt like a metaphor for Tommy, who had been trying his hardest to win an event on the PGA Tour for the very first time.
Tommy Fleetwood took care of that last year when he brought home the Tour Championship. With another year of growth and strength, would this also be Frankie’s time?
“Frankie, is that the warm-up daddy gives you?” Rory McIlroy said as Frankie stood to the side of the tee, mimicking box jumps.
It was a rather hilarious, but also heartwarming scene: McIlroy and his wife, Erica, sitting together in the grassy area behind the tee box, their daughter Poppy and Shane Lowry’s little girls chasing each other around the course.
“What am I hitting here?” McIlroy said to Erica, who was carrying his bag around the course.
“Eight?” she said.
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McIlroy broke out in laughter, mouthing “Nooooooooooo,” because an 8-iron would be about four clubs too much.
With all the family pictures being taken and everyone hitting at least a shot, maybe two, the ninth tee usually gets backed up. One kid after another tried, most of them barely hitting it 20 yards.
“Not so confident,” Frankie told ESPN’s Marty Smith as they walked from the eighth green. “But honestly on the range this afternoon I felt good. So I feel like I’ve got a chance, but yeah, still trying.”
The kind of people who tend to come to the Masters tend to remember these stories. They’re hardcore golf fans. They may never meet Frankie Fleetwood, but they know he’s been trying his hardest. Those who gathered around the ninth tee were as invested in watching him try to do it this year as they would be if Tommy Fleetwood had the lead on Sunday coming up to the 18th green.
After McIlroy, Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood hit their shots, the chant began to build: “Fran-kie, Fran-kie, Fran-kie!” Off to the side, Frankie made practice swings with his driver. Tommy gave him a tee and leaned over to whisper something in his ear.
Frankie teed it up, took one practice swing, squared up in an extra wide stance and — smack.
It sounded good. Really good. The ball began its journey across the water, high but fading a bit. From behind the tee, it looked like it might have a chance. It was a good try, but ultimately was wet, a bit short and to the right.
The crowd groaned. Frankie turned around and looked at the sky, as if to say, “Ugh!”
“Next year, Frankie!” someone shouted out.
The crowd around the tee began to urge him to try one more. So he teed it up again. The contact sounded even better the second time. Frankie crouched down, thinking perhaps this might be the one. It looked like it was tracking for the right front of the green. Would it get there?
Alas, it did have the distance, just not the aim — maybe four or five yards right. Lowry’s daughter enveloped him in a hug.
So, so close. The process continues. But the kid is going to do it. Maybe next year is his year.
“Frankie's growing up. Every year you see him get that little bit older at the Masters,” Tommy Fleetwood said. “I think more than anything the pressure is on me to keep making the Masters until he reaches the green on the 9th.”
A little more time, a little more strength, a little more practice and he’s got it. He’s already almost there.
“Next year, Frankie!” one fan yelled.
They didn’t see him make it this time, but they certainly saw him try his hardest.