In a sweet addition to his support staff, Tommy Fleetwood has welcomed back Ian Finnis, his longtime caddy, ahead of The Open. Fleetwood, who tied for tenth place in the previous season, intends to launch a title campaign at Royal Troon later this month.
Just months after undergoing open heart surgery, Finnis has returned to Fleetwood’s side, and he will be accompanied once more. Due in part to his lengthy relationship with Fleetwood and his massive build, the 44-year-old is one of the most recognizable caddies on the circuit.
Standing at six feet and seven inches tall, Finnis has had to cope with a fair share of health issues in recent months. Fleetwood stated at the time that Finnis had been battling a protracted ailment, explaining his absence from the Valero Texas Open and the Masters Tournament.
Finnis disclosed at the end of April that he had had open heart surgery and expressed optimism about his prognosis. After it was announced that he will be playing with Fleetwood at The Open, it is evident that he feels ready to go back into the game.
When Finnis discussed his health issues in May, he called himself “very lucky” and disclosed that a bacterial infection had caused his condition to deteriorate dangerously.
Finnis said, “I was very lucky,” to The Telegraph. “They’re not exactly sure what went wrong, but they believe that bacteria entered a hole in my heart that I had previously lived with without any issues, and then ate away at both of its valves.
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After they cut me up, the incredible surgeon Mr. Generali installed a metal valve in me. Amazingly, he also miraculously mended the other valve, sparing me from having to receive a tissue one that would have needed to be replaced about every seven years.