Tommy Fleetwood Still Chasing The Open

Tommy Fleetwood returned to Royal Birkdale hoping to become the first Englishman to hoist the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo’s 1992 triumph. Starting the final round five shots behind overnight leader Sam Burns, he surged into contention with three birdies in the opening eight holes. A trio of bogeys around the turn, however, knocked him out of the winning mix. He finished with a 68, ending seven under and three shots shy of winner Ryan Fox.

Fleetwood’s Near Miss at Royal Birkdale

The atmosphere on home soil was electric, and Fleetwood said walking down the 18th was “beyond stuff that I’ve dreamt of.” He described the huge crowds as “the most special week ever” and praised their support, even while nursing the disappointment of not clinching the title. A monster 75‑foot birdie putt on the first hole sparked early optimism, but the joy was short‑lived. The 35‑year‑old also birdied the final two holes, securing a share of fourth place with world number one Scottie Scheffler.

Key Mistake that Cost the Victory

On the ninth hole, Fleetwood’s aggressive approach sent the ball “over the back” of the green, a shot he later called “a terrible mistake.” The gusty conditions made recovery especially tough, and the bogey at nine was followed by another dropped shot on the next two holes. “I was eight under and stood in the middle of the ninth fairway,” he reflected, acknowledging how swiftly the tide turned. Despite the setback, he noted that bogeys are part of the challenge, especially in the tough afternoon conditions.

Looking ahead, Fleetwood is already plotting his next attempts at the historic tournament. He’ll target the Old Course at St Andrews next year before the Open returns to north‑west England at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028, with Royal Liverpool slated as another upcoming venue. “How lucky am I to have three Open venues on the rota where really it’s so close to home for me,” he said, highlighting his personal connection to the region. The Englishman remains undeterred, vowing to keep chasing his dream of finally winning the Claret Jug.