Tommy Fleetwood raises hopes of Open success: "Obviously it'll be my turn soon"

England's Tommy Fleetwood has raised hopes of claiming his maiden major with a superb start to the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

Ben Smith

20 Jul 2023

Tommy Fleetwood raises hopes of Open success: "Obviously it'll be my turn soon" — Tommy Fleetwood raises hopes of Open success: "Obviously it'll be my turn…

Tommy Fleetwood says 'obviously it'll be my turn soon' after he made a fast start to the 2023 Open Championship.

Fleetwood, 32, was roared on by the home crowds at Royal Liverpool and by day's end had carded a 5-under par 66.

It was enough to share the lead with the young South African amateur, Christo Lamprecht, after the morning wave.

If Fleetwood were to win the Claret Jug, he would become the first English golfer to do so in 31 years.

The last English player to become the champion golfer of the year was of course Nick Faldo when he triumphed at Muirfield in 1992.

It was his third Open victory. Tony Jacklin was the last player to win on English soil when he won the 1969 Open at Royal Birkdale.

Fleetwood said it was one of his most enjoyable opening rounds in a major ever. "You just want to get off to a fast start," said Fleetwood.

"It's not really been my strength recently. [I have] started tournaments pretty slow, so to get something going today felt really good."

Fleetwood added: "To be in the clubhouse now, to have played so well, it's a lovely feeling. I can rest up, start getting ready for tomorrow."

Tommy Fleetwood makes his move.
And the fans love it.
Watch Tommy finish his round live https://t.co/nF1CsC3YNF pic.twitter.com/zxejBQTp1I
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2023

The English pro was playing alongside World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (70) and 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott (73).

Fleetwood started conservatively, carding four consecutive pars before taking advantage of the par-5 fifth.

He immediately dropped a shot at the sixth when he missed the green long but managed to birdie the seventh, rolling in a 10ft put.

Fleetwood tore round the back nine at Hoylake, sinking a 26ft putt for birdie at 11 before picking up more strokes at 14, 15 and 16.

He managed to escape the treacherous 17th with a three and finished with what turned out to be an excellent par on 18 after missing the fairway way left.

"I think good results always spur you on and they give you the confidence to keep pushing on and doing those things," Fleetwood said of his consistently in 2023.

Tommy Fleetwood raises hopes of Open success:

Fleetwood added:

"I enjoy the game, and I enjoy trying to get better. At the moment we're obviously in this period where I have to be patient and trusting in what we're doing and show good results, and yeah, there's times where it could go either way, and it hasn't gone my way yet.

"All I want to do is keep working hard, keep playing, and keep putting myself in position, and obviously it'll be my turn soon."

Fleetwood will begin his second round at 2.48pm BST on Friday.

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