Tommy Fleetwood To Have Caddie Ian Finnis Back On The Bag For First Time In Three Months
Tommy Fleetwood's long-time caddie Ian Finnis is back in action at this week's Scottish Open after undergoing heart surgery in April


Tommy Fleetwood has reunited with his longtime caddie Ian Finnis at this week’s Scottish Open, after the 44-year-old looper was sidelined for more than three months with a life-threatening health issue.
Finnis, who has worked with close friend Fleetwood since 2016, was forced to step back from his caddying duties after getting hospitalized a few weeks before the Masters in April following a bout of poor health.
His condition then took a turn for the worse and he required open-heart surgery in late April.
Finnis said he was “very lucky” after he was found to have had bacteria in a hole in his heart.
“They are not exactly sure what happened but bacteria got into a hole in my heart that I’d lived with previously with no problems and then ate away both valves,” he told The Telegraph in May.
“They opened me up and the amazing surgeon, Mr Generali, fitted a metal valve and by some miracle he fixed the other valve, saving me from getting a tissue one which would have had to be replaced every seven years or so.”
Finnis has now recovered and has been helping Fleetwood prepare for this week's Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Good to see Ian Finnis back on @TommyFleetwood1's bag this week @ScottishOpen after undergoing heart surgery in April! pic.twitter.com/o0Wwdn6WvwJuly 10, 2024
Innis last looped for Fleetwood at the Players’ Championship in March and has missed nine events, including the first three Majors of the year.
In Innis’ absence, Fleetwood had Augusta National caddie Gray Moore on his bag for the Masters. He then hired experienced looper David Clark, who is now Ian Poulter’s caddie.
Fleetwood and Innis have been close friends since they were teenagers, and have won six titles during the seven years they have worked together.
“I’ve spoken to him a lot through the whole thing, obviously, and the process went from not knowing what’s wrong to finding out and not believing this is actually happening, to worrying about the operation,” Fleetwood told The Telegraph following Innis’ surgery.
“You get wrapped up in what you’re doing out here, but this has told us that health is everything.”
Joel Kulasingham is freelance writer for Golf Monthly. He has worked as a sports reporter and editor in New Zealand for more than five years, covering a wide range of sports including golf, rugby and football. He moved to London in 2023 and writes for several publications in the UK and abroad. He is a life-long sports nut and has been obsessed with golf since first swinging a club at the age of 13. These days he spends most of his time watching, reading and writing about sports, and playing mediocre golf at courses around London.
-
Max Homa Splits With Caddie Joe Greiner
Homa and his long-time caddie Joe Greiner have parted ways after six PGA Tour victories together
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Sandy Lyle Shared 3 Top Tips With Us Prior To Winning The Masters in 1988... And They Could Still Save You Shots 37 Years Later
The 1988 Masters Champion shared his expert tips in the January 1988 issue of Golf Monthly, but they are still absolute gems for amateur golfers to this day...
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Max Homa Splits With Caddie Joe Greiner
Homa and his long-time caddie Joe Greiner have parted ways after six PGA Tour victories together
By Elliott Heath Published
-
PGA Tour Pro Confirms Which Tournaments Will Feature Rangefinders
Michael Kim has confirmed that rangefinders will be in use for the PGA Tour events between The Masters and PGA Championship, with the aim to help the pace of play
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'He’s Over There And We Only See Him Four Or Five Times A Year, And It’s Disappointing For All Of Us' - Curtis Strange Claims Joaquin Niemann 'Needs' To Be On The PGA Tour
Niemann has started 2025 in phenomenal fashion thanks to two victories on the LIV Golf League in three starts. However, Strange believes he should be back on the PGA Tour
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Alejandro Tosti Fires Back After Slow Play Accusation At Houston Open
Tosti has responded to claims that he was deliberately playing slowly to put off playing partner, Min Woo Lee, during the final round of the Texas Children's Houston Open
By Matt Cradock Published
-
PGA Tour Pro Wraps Up Masters Spot In Incredibly Tight Affair
Michael Kim edged out Ben Griffin to qualify for The Masters via his world ranking following a tense battle between the pair in the Houston Open
By Mike Hall Published
-
Gary Woodland Produces Best PGA Tour Finish Since Return From Brain Surgery
The 2019 US Open champion had brain surgery to remove a benign tumor in 2023, with a T2 at the Texas Children's Houston Open his best finish since returning at the start of last year
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Issue With Right Elbow Ahead Of Latest Masters Challenge
The four-time Major winner revealed to the Golf Channel he has discomfort in his right elbow, less than two weeks before his latest attempt to win the Green Jacket
By Mike Hall Published
-
Why Does Min Woo Lee Say 'Let Him Cook'?
The PGA Tour star has a popular catchphrase, but what are its origins?
By Mike Hall Published