Tommy Fleetwood tipped to avoid Rory McIlroy trap at The Open

A level-headed Tommy Fleetwood won't be overawed by the added pressure of trying to win The Open in front of home support, according to Rory McIlroy. 

Fleetwood is among several golfers bidding to become the first English winner of The Open since Sir Nick Faldo triumphed at Muirfield in 1992.

Victory for Fleetwood would be even more special given the 35-year-old grew up five minutes from Royal Birkdale and admitted he sneaked onto the course "once or twice" as a junior.

But should he put himself in contention, Fleetwood will also have to overcome the psychological hurdle of still seeking his first major championship victory.

McIlroy understands that expectation facing Fleetwood having missed the cut at Royal Portrush when The Open was staged in Northern Ireland in 2019. 

"It's a great environment but tough in a way that you just feel the extra expectation on your shoulders, and you feel like you're trying to play well for everyone else and not for yourself," McIlroy said. 

"I think there's already enough pressure on anyone in this field to play well for themselves, so to add that extra layer on top of that is always pretty difficult. 

"Yeah, like Tommy coming back here, for example, he grew up five minutes away, but I feel like Tommy's more level-headed than I am and he won't fall into that trap like I did in 2019. It always seems like it takes me one go round to get it right."

McIlroy added: "It will be interesting to see. I'm playing with Matt [Fitzpatrick] tomorrow [as well], but I think a lot of those guys are pretty level-headed, and they'll go out there and stick to their routines and do their thing, and it will be great. 

"It would be great for them all to have a great week because obviously with England in the World Cup still and everything that's going on, it would just be an amazing atmosphere for the tournament."

Fleetwood failed to contend when the tournament was last held here in 2017. 

He battled back to make the cut after opening with a 76 and ultimately finished 13 strokes behind champion Jordan Spieth.

Fleetwood told reporters in his pre-tournament news conference on Tuesday that he doesn't worry about the future should he never win a major. 

"Like everyone else out here, we spend our lives giving it everything, and it might happen for me, it might not," he said. 

"I don't want to think about it as if it doesn't happen, all of those hours I spent chasing my dreams, what was it for kind of thing.

"Whatever happens in my career, I'll be able to look back and say that I gave it everything and I had an amazing time doing it. 

"I would definitely much prefer to have a major or two or three on my resume by the time my career is over. 

"Whether that happens or not is sometimes out of your control, but I think making sure you have a great time chasing it is the ultimate thing."

He added: "[It is the] same as for everybody. Dreams do come true, we watch it all the time, but you'll never find out if yours will unless you chase it. Mine might come true. It might not. 

"I think I've done a lot in my career so far, but yeah, there's still plenty more to go. 

"Until my time is up I'll keep trying and keep working hard, and hopefully you can ask me that question again at some point, and I'll be able to tell you how I actually feel."

Who are England's Open hopes?

Aside from Fleetwood, there are 20 other English golfers in the 156-man field. 

Matthew Fitzpatrick is considered England's best chance of success given he has won three times on the PGA Tour this season. 

Justin Rose is still attempting to win The Open even at the age of 45. 

Aaron Rai recently won the US PGA Championship and Tyrrell Hatton will believe he has the pedigree to tick off a major. 

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