Tommy Fleetwood takes the budget route to Portrush as he eyes first Major at the Open

The Scouser has landed in Northern Ireland searching for a maiden Major at Royal Portrush.

He has gone close previously to one of golf’s biggest prizes when he finished runner-up at the US Open a year ago with a stunning final round 63.

English ace Fleetwood was also in contention a year ago at Carnoustie before a final round 73 left him tied 12th.

Fleetwood has had three top five finishes this year but is yet to add to his seven career wins.

But he reckons he is approaching his peak and is targeting Major success – plus a potential upgrade to his travelling arrangements.

The Southport-born star, 28, who has banked £5.6million prize money, said: “I flew over Flybe.

“I’m not in the position yet where I’ll just fly private everywhere.

“But it would be nice – ask me again in several years and we’ll see.

“Every time I’m practising , playing or prepping, Majors are always going to be the ones everybody wants to win.

“But putting the urgency or too much pressure on yourself is not going to do any favours.

“I just keep doing things as well as I possibly can.

“Hopefully one, two or three Majors come along and at least one.

“I haven’t really been close this year but I’ve played some consistent stuff in other events.

“I’m 28, your career is a long time.

“We’re not tennis players or football players. I’m just about reaching what should be my peak year.”

Fleetwood has slipped from ninth in the world rankings last November to 20th ahead of this week’s Open at Portrush.

He added: “It’s just not been as hot as it has been for two years.

“But I think that’s always going to happen.

“If this is the worst I ever do, then I’ll be just fine for the next few years.

“But of course you’re always going to look at it and say: ‘this needs to get better, and I need to improve at this’.

“I’ll keep practicing, hopefully my form will come back to where I’d like it to be and I’ll keep challenging it.”

source: express.co.uk