Tommy Fleetwood eyes breakthrough at US Open
Tommy Fleetwood is set to make a serious bid for his first major title at this week’s US Open, a tournament that could finally lift the burden of past near misses from his shoulders, reports BritPanorama.
The English golfer returns to Shinnecock Hills, a venue where he finished second in 2018 after an impressive final round of 63. Fleetwood, starting that day ranked 23rd, missed a pivotal eight-foot putt on the 18th hole that would have secured the first 62 in US Open history, signalling a haunting close to that championship.
Reflecting on that round, Fleetwood stated: “That approach to the 18th was one of the best shots I ever hit in one of the best rounds in my life. When you are having a round like that, nothing feels out of your reach.” He later expressed a sense of inevitable disappointment after missing the decisive putt, which left him feeling he was “going to be one short” in the final tally.
Although victory on the PGA Tour had eluded Fleetwood for years, he finally won the FedExCup last year, alleviating some of the pressure he faced. The 35-year-old has continued to demonstrate his potential, with a recent win at the Indian Open and a playoff finish in Abu Dhabi. In major competitions, he has previously finished as runner-up at both the 2018 US Open and the 2019 Open Championship.
The recent successes of fellow Brits in golf, including Aaron Rai’s victory at the PGA Championship and Rory McIlroy’s second green jacket earlier this season, further bolster Fleetwood’s confidence. He remarked, “It was amazing to see Aaron win… it reminded me that any given week could be your week.”
As Fleetwood prepares to tee off alongside McIlroy and Sweden’s Ludwig Aberg on Thursday, he acknowledges the weight of expectations. “People say that you must be one of the next guys to win a major, but it doesn’t mean anything until you do it,” he said, reflecting on both his aspirations and past disappointments in major tournaments.
The US Open presents an opportunity for Tommy Fleetwood to silence the critics and finally claim the major championship that has long awaited him. History hangs in the balance as he navigates a course that has previously seen him so close to glory.
