Fleetwood On Several Topics, Including The Pain Of Last Year's Open Championship

The Guardian’s Ewan Murray covers a wide array of topics with Tommy Fleetwood, including how the unexpected layoff has been a positive, the 2018 Ryder Cup and of particular note his heartbreak over finishing second at the 2019 Open Championship.

Even though Shane Lowry won convincingly at Royal Portrush, Fleetwood’s still kicking himself but with refreshing perspective, as well.

Fleetwood articulates his level of despair – finishing second in the Open is hardly disastrous – perfectly. “When I was seven, I wanted to win the Open. I left the course that Saturday night, driving back with my family … the dream you’ve had for 20-odd years is very close. It went when I double-bogeyed 15 on Sunday, it was still there until then.

“That might be the closest I ever get, but I can say: ‘You know what, I had a dream when I was a kid and I played in the Sunday of an Open in the last group with a chance of achieving it.’ But I’m not living my life to finish second. I don’t live in a bubble where I weep about being second in the Open but second isn’t what I’m striving for. I don’t think I’ve reached my potential yet.”