​The biggest tournament of Tommy Fleetwood’s career is almost here. The Englishman has long said that his preferred major to win is The Open Championship, and he’d rather triumph at Royal Birkdale than at St Andrews. With Birkdale within easy reach of his hometown, Fleetwood can expect a massive home support when the game’s oldest major returns there for the first time since 2017, when Jordan Spieth captured the Claret Jug. Fleetwood is aiming to become the first Englishman to win The Open at this storied venue, but how likely is that outcome?
A week before The Open gets underway, Fleetwood offered a candid appraisal of his game. After an uneven start to the season, he is trending upward as the championship approaches. He fired a solid opening round at the Scottish Open, sitting just two shots off the lead through 18 holes, signaling that his game is rounding into form at the right moment.
“I kind of like where I’m at,” Fleetwood said. “I think golf can change on any given day, of course. But there’s nothing I’m particularly searching for. Over the last few weeks, I’ve put myself in good positions a lot and just haven’t seen the results that I feel my golf has warranted. So no, I quite like where I’m at. It’s about going at it every day with the right attitude, executing the shot that’s in front of you, and being as accepting as you can be. This time of the year, The Open is around the corner for many of us, and it’s the moment where many people’s ultimate dreams lie. Managing that pressure while simply playing golf and enjoying the moment can be the hardest part, but I hope to stay in that frame of mind.”
As expectations rise for Fleetwood, the question remains whether his 2026 campaign will finally yield a major breakthrough. After winning his first PGA Tour event at the Tour Championship last year, the 2026 season didn’t unfold as many anticipated. He has not added another PGA Tour victory, yet he remains in excellent form overall. Six top-10 finishes in 14 events and two top-five showings underscore a solid, if not spectacular, year, but his major performances have lagged behind his high standard in regular events.
The Masters saw him finish T33, the PGA Championship left him short of the cut line, and at the US Open he briefly flirted with contention before slipping outside the top 10 again. Despite those results, Fleetwood consistently delivers strong showings week after week, a pattern fans have come to expect. A strong home crowd could provide the missing boost to push him over the line in a major, and Royal Birkdale could be the stage where that spark finally materializes.
As The Open approaches, Fleetwood remains composed and focused on the process rather than the result. He emphasizes the importance of staying in the moment, preparing with intent, and executing the shots that lie ahead. The allure of a potential home triumph at Royal Birkdale adds an extra layer of motivation, and his ability to keep a steady mindset will be crucial in navigating the challenges of a major championship venue steeped in history.
With the tournament returning to Royal Birkdale for the first time in nearly seven years, Fleetwood will have both familiarity and a passionate home audience on his side. If he can translate his recent momentum into sharp, consistent play over four rounds, the Englishman could become the latest to etch his name on the Claret Jug at a venue close to his heart. The Open at Royal Birkdale promises drama, expectation, and a compelling storyline as Fleetwood attempts to turn a near-miss into a major triumph in front of a supportive crowd that knows him well.