Fleetwood sets his sights on the Open after stunning 63
‘My name is in the frame for Carnoustie,’ he says Briton takes positives from US Open near-miss
Tommy Fleetwood is refusing to dwell on the “what ifs?” of his finishing as runner-up at the US Open, but instead will focus on transferring his stunning form in America’s national championship to the other majors – starting with the Open in four weeks’ time.
Fleetwood lost out by a shot to Brooks Koepka after missing a nine-footer on the last at Shinnecock Hills. Yet the 27-year-old could not fail to be optimistic after his second top-four placing in the US Open in as many years.
“There are obviously so many positives to take,” Fleetwood said. “I had a chance to make history and I wouldn’t do anything differently. I made my highest finish in a major and it’s just more proof that I can compete in any company.
“The next really big one people will look at is the Open and I have put my name in the frame again. Hopefully that will be another good major. Carnoustie is a week I will be really looking forward to.”
Fleetwood has a top 15 at the Masters, the Open and the USPGA but is adamant he is a thoroughbred and not a one-trick pony. He heads to Carnoustie after shooting a course-record 63 the last time he played at the feared Angus links, in the Dunhill Links last October.
“It will be a different test in July under Open conditions, but I do like that course and there is no reason why I cannot perform well,” Fleetwood said. “I have shown I can win on a variety of courses and that my game can adapt anywhere.”
Fleetwood’s self-belief levels are perhaps best highlighted by an anecdote recounted by Ian Finnis, his caddie and long-time friend. “I was sitting in a Starbucks near the course on Sunday doing my yardages when a text came through from Tommy saying, ‘I’m going to break Johnny Miller’s US Open record’,” Finnis said. “It almost happened, didn’t it?”
Indeed it did. Miller’s
63 on the final day at Oakmont to win in 1973 is widely regarded as one of the best rounds in history, but Fleetwood was certain he could better it as he surveyed his six-shot deficit.
A few hours later, after a ball-striking exhibition and a short-game masterclass delivered eight birdies and just one bogey, he required a three on the 18th to post the first 62 in the 123 years of the US Open. Of course, Fleetwood did not know it at the time, but it would also have earned a play-off for the title.
Fleetwood conjured a six-iron from 195 yards to within nine feet and, as he walked up the fairway, he said to Finnis: “I hope Johnny is watching this.”
“It would have been the best thing ever if Tommy had holed it,” Finnis said.
Fleetwood had a two-hour wait before watching Koepka bogey the 18th to prevail on one over. However, he was far from crestfallen, not after his stunning comeback from the 78 to which he laboured in the carnage of Saturday afternoon.
“I never thought I was out of it and I came so close,” Fleetwood said. “The shot you would look at is the putt at the last, but I shot seven under and tied the lowest round in US Open history. It’s difficult to look at just one shot but I beat everybody but one player in one of the biggest events in the world.”
Fleetwood collected £1.1million, moved into the world’s top 10 and up to second behind Patrick Reed on the European Tour’s order of merit, which he has made it his mission to retain.
He is seeking to stay on a roll by playing in this week’s BMW International in Germany. But Finnis – the fellow Merseysider who has been so influential in Fleetwood’s remarkable rise from outside the world’s top 150 less than 18 months ago – will not be at his side.
His wife, the former England goalkeeper turned television pundit Rachel Brown-finnis, is due to give birth today and the couple are moving home on Saturday. Team Fleetwood clearly like to aim big.
In Finnis’s absence, Fleetwood’s father, Pete, will take over the caddieing duties. Fleetwood will also play next week’s France Open – where he will be defending champion – and then the Scottish Open for his final preparation event.
Koepka expects to be welcoming Fleetwood to the major club in the very near future. “I’ve known Tommy for five years, played with him in last year’s final round, and he’s an incredible player,” Koepka said after becoming the first player to win back-to-back US Opens in 29 years. “To shoot a 63 in the US Open is very impressive. He’ll definitely be holding a major title soon.”
Justin Rose concurs. “Definitely,” the world No3 said. “I love the way he hits the golf ball. There are things I try to emulate when I watch him play. I love the way he compresses it and strikes it. But more so, he’s got great temperament and I think that will stand him in good stead.”