European Ryder Cup ace Tommy Fleetwood has eBay to thank after buying new putter

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Tommy Fleetwood should have no trouble getting his hands on the latest golfing equipment, but the European Ryder Cup star enjoys nothing more than sourcing it himself. And he’s admitted he’s bought some from an unexpected place for an elite sportsman – eBay.

The 2019 Open Championship runner-up is one of several tour winners to regularly search the online marketplace for rare or discontinued clubs. Fleetwood also uses the website to buy stock for his academy in Dubai.

And the 32-year-old has recounted one particular occasion when his caddie, Ian Finnis managed to track down a much-loved putter that Fleetwood had used to great effect in the early days of his golfing journey.

So delighted was the Merseyside golfer with the find that Finnis had if re-shafted and re-gripped so that Fleetwood could use it on tour.

Speaking to Golf Magic, Fleetwood said: “I was over the moon when my caddie hunted down the exact same model of putter from eBay that I used growing up.

“It brought back great memories from when I was first getting into the sport, and it was a great example of how preloved or refurbished clubs can be the perfect choice no matter what level you’re playing at.”

After Finnis had worked his magic, the Odyssey DFX 2-Ball Blade putter was added to Fleetwood’s bag before he shot an opening round of 65 at the European Masters in 2019.

As one of the best golfers in the world, the Englishman doesn’t have to worry too much about money, but having picked up his beloved putter for just £90 on eBay even elite sportsmen clearly love a bargain.

Fleetwood is not the only top-level golfer to go hunting for clubs on eBay, however. Five-time major champions Brooks Koepka and fellow American Tony Finau are both fans of the discontinued Nike Vapor Fly Pro 3-iron.

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But unlike Fleetwood’s bargain putter, the blacked-out long iron is a club that has actually appreciated in value since Nike stopped manufacturing clubs in 2016.

According to Golf Magic, Finau has admitted that he only has one back-up version of the vintage iron in his possession and has used his current 3-iron for the past six years. But with the cheapest listing for the club on eBay currently coming in at £365, he could well find himself in a bidding war with Koepka further down the line when it comes to replacing stock.

Fleetwood and Koepka will come face-to-face when Europe take on the United States in the 44th Ryder Cup next week at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy. Which of the two star names will put their second-hand clubs to best use remains to be seen.

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