Tommy’s in right place to succeed
LOCAL boy Tommy Fleetwood can take the next step from his fourth-place finish at the US Open and win The Open at Royal Birkdale.
That is the view of Michael Finnigan, founder and CEO of i2i, who works with the rising star on his mental approach to the game.
Fleetwood, who was born and raised in Southport, leads the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings and is ranked 15th in the world after two wins already this season.
And Finnigan believes being back home for the biggest week in the golfing calendar can only help Fleetwood’s chances of success come next Sunday.
He said: “Playing at home in Southport will help Tommy massively.
“First of all, he’ll be living at home for the week, which always helps.
“I’m always amazed when you look at European Tour leaderboards, that the number of players from the host venue’s country is always higher than on a regular week.
“It’s because they are at home and it relaxes them and puts a bit of positive pressure on in terms of performing in front of friends or family.
“I think it will do that for Tommy.
“For him it will be about embracing the challenge of playing a home game, if you call it that.
“Southport could be great for him. He’s definitely got the talent to win there. Imagine that.”
After a tough start to his life on Tour following a fantastic career in the amateur ranks, Fleetwood has adapted to the challenge and has won three times, most recently in Paris at the French Open earlier this month.
That is something that came as no surprise to Finnigan.
He added: “When people like Rory McIlroy win – and win Majors while they’re so young, it’s because their goal is to probably win 10 over their career.
“When you see people whose dream is to just win one, they tend to do it at a later age.
“These are young guys out on Tour.
“People like Chris Wood and Tommy Fleetwood, they have to grow into their skin.
“Once they get comfortable with being on Tour and feel like they belong there, that’s key.
“You almost have to get them to say the words, ‘I belong here’. It’s so important.
“With the elite-level athletes it’s about what they decided when they were kids and what they wanted to achieve in the game.
“When they have a shining light at the end of the tunnel, you’ve got a chance.”