We catch up with Ian Finnis to talk all things caddie life, Tommy Fleetwood, Jordan sneakers & The Open Championship...

Ian Finnis Chats to Golfposer

GP: Afternoon Fino! Thanks for taking some time out to chat to us today. Obviously, we’ve all had to adapt our lives in one way or another this past year…

Can you give us a bit of insight into how much caddie life has changed since the Tour restarted? The constant testing, the travel isolation, the playing behind-closed-doors etc.

IF: Times have definitely changed. Constant testing and forms getting filled can be tiresome but obviously needs to be done! In Europe, the main downside is having zero to do after your day is done – because of the bubble system we operate. So that means no going out for food and just no getting away from the golf. It means the weeks can feel long.

GP: You also raised a phenomenal amount of funds (£125k+) for the European Tour Caddie Association…

Were you surprised by the generosity shown by everyone involved and the huge number of raffle tickets sold?

IF: The raffle was amazing! It was just something I did with no expectations. Then I had a lot of messages and you soon realise how much people love golf.

We had lots of companies like yourselves plus other caddies and players helping out too, so it was good to see everyone wanting to help the cause. It just proves what a great tour we have in Europe. The amount raised was just an unreal figure!

GP: You’ve been Tommy’s caddie for over a decade now…

For those who don’t know the story, how did the Fino/Fleetwood partnership come about?

IF: Tommy was an elite amateur at a young age. He was a member at Formby Hall and so we knew each other for years, then at age 15 I caddied for his major amateur events like the British Amateur, Lytham Trophy & English Amateur.

Tommy won the English Amateur and came so close in the British Amateur – so we had some great times back then!

GP: Difficult question coming up…

Is it possible to pick out one single moment that you could say is a career highlight?

IF: That is difficult because we’ve had lots of great times. The final round 63 in the US Open at Shinnecock Hills (2018) sticks in the memory. The Open at Royal Portrush was an unreal week – obviously just without the result – but the atmosphere on the Sunday was the best I’ve experienced.

GP: Now onto the questions we’re all really here for…

We get the feeling you’re a massive sneakerhead, would that be fair to say?

IF: Yeah I’m a massive sneaker fan – especially Jordans! Sometimes the golf releases aren't too easy to get for my size 13 feet though...

GP: We spotted that your most recent acquisition was the Air Jordan 4 NRG shoes in Emerald Green x Grape Ice…

Will you be putting them into play anytime soon or will they be saved for a special occasion?

IF: Definitely – I think I’ll remove the spikes and give them a whirl for The Open this week @ Royal St. Georges. Can’t wait!

GP: We always love to ask this question…

If you could have any pair of sneakers transformed into a golf shoe, which would you choose?

IF: I have a pair of the Air Jordan 1 Mid SE "Nike Swoosh on Tour" - that'd be my choice. I'll send you a picture - let's see what strings you can pull!

* All images courtesy of Ian Finnis & Tommy Fleetwood via Instagram