Tommy Fleetwood’s Claret Jug bid at Royal Birkdale was crushed by three straight bogeys in his final round, turning a dream scenario into another close call. Despite a “special week” on home soil and an incredible surge, those critical missteps around the turn were just too much to overcome.
A Lightning Start Fades Fast
Fleetwood started the final round five shots behind overnight leader Sam Burns, a tough hill to climb in any major. But man, did he put on a show early! Roared on by a massive home crowd, Fleetwood birdied three of his first eight holes, vaulting himself right into contention. We’re talking about an emotional 75-foot birdie putt on the first hole alone! He added further gains at the fifth and eighth, looking like a man possessed, ready to become the first Englishman to lift the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in 1992. But then, disaster struck. An overly aggressive approach from the fairway on the ninth led to a bogey, and he dropped shots on the next two holes as well. That hat-trick of bogeys around the turn absolutely wrecked his chances. “At nine, I hit it in the place that you can’t hit it over the back,” Fleetwood admitted. “It was gusty on that fairway. It was just a terrible mistake.”
The Dream Lives On, Despite the Disappointment
Despite that painful stretch, Fleetwood still carded a final-round 68 to finish seven under, ultimately three shots adrift of winner Ryan Fox. He even birdied his final two holes, sharing fourth place alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler, marking his ninth top-10 major finish. Imagine the emotional rollercoaster of that final round! “Walking down 18 was pretty emotional,” Fleetwood said, reflecting on a day that ended in disappointment but was still “very, very special.” The crowds were amazing, he noted, making it “the most special week ever for me.” There’s only one winner, of course, and while he couldn’t get it done when he was in a really good position, Fleetwood’s dream of winning The Open is far from over. He’s ready to continue the chase.
And chase it he will! Fleetwood’s next shot at the Claret Jug is set for next year over the iconic Old Course at St Andrews. After that, The Open returns to north-west England at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028, practically his backyard. “How lucky am I to have three Open venues on the rota where really it’s so close to home for me,” he said. You can bet he’s already looking forward to those.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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