Tommy Fleetwood shot a third-round 69 at Royal Birkdale to remain five shots behind leader Sam Burns heading into the final day of The Open. The local favourite reached seven-under par before bogeying two of his final four holes.
Burns staged a late charge to take the lead after becoming one of three players to shoot the course record of 62 this week. Fleetwood now has five shots to make up, with seven players sitting between him and Burns on the leaderboard.
Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Aberg sit one stroke ahead of Fleetwood at six-under par. Lucas Herbert, who was the first player to match the course record this week, also remains in contention heading into the final round.
Late stumbles on the back nine
Fleetwood mounted his charge early in the third round with a faultless opening 14 holes. He recorded three birdies, including a 150-yard approach shot on the 11th hole that stopped three feet from the pin to move him to seven-under par.
That birdie brought Fleetwood within one shot of then-leader Ryan Fox, who became the third golfer to shoot 62 this week. However, Fleetwood bogeyed two of his last four holes, though he holed a nine-foot putt to save bogey and avoid a double bogey.
Before completing his round, Fleetwood checked the wooden scoreboards on the 18th hole. He acknowledged that he still faces a challenge to win his first major championship on his home course.
Chasing a first major title
"I've done it most days since I was seven years old and it still hasn't stopped," Fleetwood said after signing for his 69. "That's what life's about, right? You daydream and you dream about the biggest things possible and then you try and make it a reality."
Fleetwood has experienced close finishes at major tournaments in the past. He missed a putt on the final hole at Shinnecock Hills to lose the US Open by one shot despite a record-equalling 63, and finished second at Portrush a year later.
Between 2022 and 2024, Fleetwood registered four top-five finishes at major championships. However, he missed three cuts and failed to record a top-10 finish across his last 10 majors, though his victory at the Tour Championship last year proved he can win titles.
"Today was as close as you're going to get," Fleetwood said. "I was within one of the lead at The Open playing the back nine. It's been pretty close already, and then you've just got the ultimate at the end of it, which would be holding the Claret Jug."
Passionate backing at Royal Birkdale
Throughout his round, Fleetwood drew loud encouragement from the gallery at Royal Birkdale. Spectators repeatedly called out "Come on, Tommy lad" as he walked between tees, fairways, rough, and greens.
The atmosphere grew wilder as the afternoon progressed, with marshals struggling to hold up "Quiet" paddles. After Fleetwood saved bogey with his nine-foot putt, one spectator in the grandstand shouted praise at the top of his voice.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, that's stuff that I'll have for life," Fleetwood said. "How many people in the golfing world get to experience that with the crowd that much on your side. It's been a very special week for me no matter what. If I can get it tomorrow, I could make it even more special."