Tommy Fleetwood has imagined home Open win ‘a million times’

Jul 19, 2023

We’ve all imagined winning a major championship on home soil, but that could come to fruition this week for Tommy Fleetwood

Could this be the Tommy Fleetwood Open? He’s dreamed of winning it at Royal Liverpool “a million times”.

He went toe-to-toe with Shane Lowry on the final day as the Irishman claimed an emotional Claret Jug in front of an adoring home crowd at Royal Portrush.

Now, four years on, Fleetwood can’t stop thinking about using familiar surroundings to fuel his own major charge.

“Winning a major is a dream and winning the Open is a huge, huge dream,” he said. “No matter where that is, that is something I have always visualised and thought about.

“Having the opportunity to do it so close to where you grew up is something very unique and very special. I have pictured it a lot, visualised a lot, but haven’t done it yet in person, so that is the next thing!”

Fleetwood’s the local hero, but is trying to keep the pressure off.

“When it is an event so close to home, it comes with its own mental challenges, with your own expectations and everybody else’s,” he explained.

“It would be silly and daft to try and find negative elements to do with that. It is an amazing feeling playing in front of so much support. I think it is very special and if you’re here, it would be really silly to not go out with the aim to enjoy it and embrace it.

“No matter what happens, it is going to be a week to remember.

“Of course I have the ultimate goal of trying to win The Open, and I would like to play well. I’ll be disappointed and I’ll be upset if I don’t, but you also have to realise that there’s certain things about the week that are very special, and focus on them, as well.”

This week’s Open will also be the first since the death of his mother, with the first anniversary falling on Friday.

“My dad is great, he has done really, really well so that has been nice to see,” he added.

“It will be different. It will be a year on Friday, so we know that is coming up. It’s nice to think that she is watching over.

“It will be a special event. I would love to play well and I would love to give myself a chance come Saturday and Sunday and have something to aim for in that sense.

“Everybody has done really well. I have a great family and a lot of support and my dad is out here today. The best thing is seeing how well he is doing and hopefully I can give him something to enjoy watching this week!”