Tommy Fleetwood, a proud son of Southport, has backed the record 300,000 crowd at Royal Birkdale to behave during The 154th Open Championship, calling for respect after recent incidents at the Ryder Cup and U.S. Open. The 35-year-old Evertonian, who grew up sneaking onto the course, is relishing the chase for the Claret Jug.
Fleetwood's Journey from Local Lad to Ryder Cup Star
Fleetwood played most of his early golf at nearby Southport Golf Club because his father, a tarmac layer, could not afford the green fees at Royal Birkdale. He has since become a Ryder Cup mainstay, an eight-time winner on the DP World Tour, and a PGA Tour winner. His best Open finish came in 2019, when he was runner-up to Shane Lowry at Royal Portrush.
Reflections on Major Wins and Chasing Dreams
“There's no doubt about it, I think winning majors is kind of like the ultimate accolades in our sport,” Fleetwood said. “It's a difficult one. I don't think I want to sort of look towards the future and worry about or think that I have to win a major to feel fulfilled. I think, like everyone else out here, we spend our lives giving it everything, and it might happen for me, it might not.” He added, “Whatever happens in my career, I will have, I'll be able to look back and say that I gave it everything and I had an amazing time doing it.”
Memories of Birkdale 2017 and Hoylake 2023
Fleetwood recalled his 2017 Open at Birkdale, where he recovered from a first-round 76 to make the cut. “I think my round on Friday was one of the best rounds I ever played to make the cut, and Saturday was a great experience going out so early with Justin [Rose].” He also referenced Royal Liverpool in 2023, where he shot a great first round and was in contention. “I have all those things to draw on and I have all those things to sort of aim for,” he said.
Backing the Crowd Amid Code of Conduct
Open chiefs have released a code of conduct for Birkdale, threatening to eject rowdy fans after ugly scenes at last year’s Ryder Cup and the recent U.S. Open. Fleetwood, who was roared around Hoylake three years ago, said: “It’s hard to want 200,000 people to watch and create an amazing atmosphere and want them all to do exactly what you would expect or want them to do. Yeah, like you want the fans to behave in the best way possible and to give everybody the equal opportunity, but it is very difficult wanting all that to go together.” He added, “I’m sure everybody will be great this week. I think The Opens that I’ve experienced in the northwest, the crowds have been amongst the best I’ve ever seen and the atmospheres have been great.”
