Fleetwood hoping to surf Sunday wave to Open glory

Tommy Fleetwood is hoping to ride a wave of home support on Sunday to win the British Open, potentially ending a 30-year drought for an English winner of golf's oldest major. Fleetwood, 35, who was born near Royal Birkdale in Southport, received the loudest cheers on Saturday during a round of 69, placing him tied for ninth and six shots behind leader Sam Burns.

To claim the Claret Jug and his first major title, Fleetwood will need a remarkable performance on Sunday. However, if he can harness the energy from the packed galleries, 'Tommy Lad' has a fighting chance. "Like walking up to every green, it's like the most amazing ovation that you can imagine," said Fleetwood, a Ryder Cup veteran who finished second at the 2019 Open and was also runner-up at the U.S. Open the previous year. "I sort of acknowledge them in my way because I still want to stay in my bubble, but it just happens that there's like thousands of people in my bubble with me that are willing me on."

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Like walking up to every green, it's like the most amazing ovation that you can imagine. I sort of acknowledge them in my way because I still want to stay in my bubble, but it just happens that there's like thousands of people in my bubble with me that are willing me on.

Fleetwood, who runs an academy at nearby Formby Hall Golf Club, used to sneak onto Royal Birkdale as a child. On Saturday, he showcased the links course-craft that endears him to his many fans. He responded to the crowd's energy with birdies at the fifth and seventh holes, and was only one shot off the lead after reaching seven under par following a brilliant second shot to the 11th. A dropped shot at the 15th and another at the 18th halted his charge, though his tricky bogey putt at the final hole was met with a thunderous ovation.

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The best part is they cheer him on, but they're respectful to everybody else playing. That's what makes it so fun for all of us. No matter how late in the round, how bad things get, everybody is almost cheering for everybody in the group. I felt plenty of support even playing with Tommy.

Playing partner Jon Rahm, who finished the day six shots off the lead after a round of 70, commented on the "unconditional support" Fleetwood receives. "The best part is they cheer him on, but they're respectful to everybody else playing," Rahm said. "That's what makes it so fun for all of us. No matter how late in the round, how bad things get, everybody is almost cheering for everybody in the group. I felt plenty of support even playing with Tommy."

Rahm added, "It's been a lot of fun. Tomorrow if he gets going early, makes two, three birdies the first four or five holes, you can ride that wave, and everybody on the course will know where Tommy is and what's going on." Fleetwood is the leading British player on the leaderboard and aims to become the first English champion since Nick Faldo.

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It's been a lot of fun. Tomorrow if he gets going early, makes two, three birdies the first four or five holes, you can ride that wave, and everybody on the course will know where Tommy is and what's going on.