Tommy Fleetwood's first words after falling short of dream Open win

A defiant Tommy Fleetwood says he will never give up on chasing his dream to become an Open champion after he fell short at Royal Birkdale.

Fleetwood stumbled late on moving day in Southport and entered the final round with a slim chance of winning his first major title. 

He trailed the 54-hole leader, Sam Burns, by five strokes but got off to a dream start by holing a 73-putt for birdie to spark truly wild scenes. 

Roared on by thousands of spectators, Fleetwood briefly moved to within two shots of the lead with birdies at the fifth and eighth. 

He was, momentarily, in dreamland. It was possible. It was on. 

But a trio of bogeys around the turn wrecked his chances and in the end he had to settle for a share of fourth alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler. 

Fleetwood is not one to show much emotion but he was in tears as he saluted the crowd at the 18th. 

As a testament to his popularity, thousands made their way to the exit after his final putt dropped. 

They were here to see one man. 

"That was heavy stuff," said Fleetwood. 

"As a kid when you're dreaming of having a putt to win The Open or playing The Open or winning The Open, that's one thing, but I could never imagine that scene on 18, getting the ovation and the support that I have this week. 

"That's incredibly special. I do know how incredibly lucky I am to have experienced that.

"I'm so grateful for everyone because that's like stuff that my kids are watching that, and I think it's so cool that they get to experience that. 

"I can't ask for any more from everybody. That was amazing."

Opening up on his disappointment, Fleetwood said: "There's only one person that gets to win it. And my dream of winning The Open will carry on and I'll continue to chase it.

"But stuff like that, walking down 18 and the atmosphere out there, that was beyond stuff that I've dreamt of. 

"That was just stuff that I never imagined. The crowds were amazing, and they made it the most special week ever for me, and I can't thank them enough."

He added: "Southport is a very, very special place to me. It's where I was born. It's where I grew up. It's an amazing town.

"I really think that the town this week has just done us all proud. Everybody from Southport in the area have been incredible. 

"Honestly, anybody that I spoke to has given one of the best Opens ever. Everybody talks about it.

"I am a part of trying to grow the game and try and help kids, try and get them into golf and try and let them start their dreams, and hopefully they'll be here one day.

"Seeing that many of them out today is really, really special, and I just try and be the best example possible for them. 

"They help me as much as I help them."

Fleetwood will have to wait until next July to have another crack at realising his dream. 

The 155th Open heads back to St Andrews. 

In 2028, golf's oldest major will be staged at Royal Lytham & St Annes, representing another 'home' Open for Fleetwood. 

"How lucky am I to have three Open venues on the rota where really it's so close to home for me?" he said. 

"Like really people don't play events that close, let alone hometown and then Lytham and Royal Liverpool.

"I'm looking forward to that. It's a nice one to look into the future. 

"In reality, you don't know if you're ever going to play an Open again. 

"You never know what's going to happen, but hopefully I've got quite a few more left in me.

"We have a really good run. St Andrews next year -  that really is on a pedestal - and then coming back to the northwest and Lytham will be great."