Fleetwood focused as he bids for first major

Tommy Fleetwood will try to block out thoughts of the "life-changing" effect of becoming the second English winner in five years in Sunday's final round of the US Open.

Sunday, 18th June 2017, 9:44 am
Updated Monday, 19th June 2017, 4:27 pm
Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood carded a third round of 68 at Erin Hills to finish alongside Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas on 11 under par, a shot behind surprise leader Brian Harman.


Fleetwood, from Southport, had been tied for the lead after birdies on the first, eighth, 12th, 14th and 15th, only to bogey the last after following up a poor pitch by putting his birdie attempt off the green.

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"It was a good bogey though," joked Fleetwood, who regained his composure to hit a superb pitch from well below the putting surface. "That fifth shot on the 18th was the best shot all day.

"It was a really good round of golf and you don't realise until you start talking about it that I hardly missed a shot all day."

Asked about the prospects of emulating 2013 champion Justin Rose, the 26-year-old from Southport added: "It will change my life. I know that.

"I have pictured winning the US Open a lot of times before. Doing it all night is not going to help and not make any difference. It's just a question of concentrating on each day as it comes.

"Today I felt really good, played really well. If I wake up with the same feelings tomorrow I'm going to have a chance. Hopefully I do. I'll take it one step at a time.

"I don't think I could play any different or score any better than I have done. And you can't do anything about what anybody else is doing.

"If somebody shoots nine under tomorrow in the top few (as Thomas did on Saturday) then I'll have to shoot 10, I guess. But you can't do anything about that stuff. I've just got to keep going.

"This is my first time in contention in a major, so whatever happens I'll be doing my best and seeing how well I can finish. And that's all you can do. But it will be a pleasure to go out on a Sunday trying to win a major.

"It would be great to follow in Justin (Rose)'s footsteps. He's a good role model for English golf."