How Tommy Fleetwood Went from Sneaking Into Royal Birkdale to Being a Favorite at The Open

How Kids Could Get Into Royal Birkdale

When Tommy Fleetwood was a kid growing up in Southport, there were basically three official ways to play at the fancy golf course called Royal Birkdale:

• Pay hundreds of pounds as a visitor (like a guest fee).
• Get invited by a friendly member who already belongs to the club.
• Get proposed, seconded, and checked by the club, then pay thousands in membership dues.

But Tommy did something else. He ran south along the beach from Southport, passed the fancy houses, and hopped the fence at the back of the 5th fairway (the grassy area between the tee and the hole).

Important: Fleetwood admitted he only did this "once or twice" as a kid — not every day!

Learning Golf and Early Memories

Tommy learned golf at Southport Municipal, which is three miles away from Birkdale. When he got good, he became a member at Formby Hall, three miles the other way.

• Royal Birkdale was like "magic ground" for local kids.
• Tommy’s dad worked in construction, and his mum was a hairdresser.
• He mostly watched tournaments there as a fan.
• In 1998, he came to get autographs when Mark O’Meara won The Open. His best signature? Colin Montgomerie.
• That day made him want to become a professional golfer.

Tommy’s Strong Start in 2026

Now, 28 years later, Tommy is one of the top favorites to win The Open at Birkdale.

• He started with a score of 69 (one under par: 2 bogeys, 3 birdies).
• He called it a "battle" because the course was tough.
• Last time The Open was at Birkdale, he scored 6 over par in round one — basically out of the race early.

Important: A "birdie" means one stroke under the hole’s set number; a "bogey" means one over. Par is the expected number of strokes.

Why Everyone Loves "Tommy Lad"

If Tommy wins, he’d be the most popular winner ever. Here’s why:

• He’s known as one of the nicest guys in golf.
• He went to Scarisbrick Hall school nearby.
• He runs a kids’ academy at Formby Hall (still his home club).
• The academy costs just £75 for six weeks and helps kids whose families can’t afford Birkdale’s fees.

Even now, you can see where he sneaked onto the course. The 5th hole is shorter this year, but the gap by the tee is still there. During the tournament, metal fences were put up. On Thursday, locals stood by the trees to watch him for free and cheered, "Go on Tommy lad!"

Tommy said the crowd "carried me a little bit" and really helped him.

The Other Big Names: Rahm and Spieth

Tommy played with Jon Rahm (also one under) and Jordan Spieth.

• Spieth won The Open at Birkdale in 2017.
• Back then, he won 3 of 11 major tournaments.
• Now he’s far behind and struggling.
• Some holes he used to win in 2017 have been redesigned — his famous hole-in-one tee shot at the 14th no longer exists.

Summary

Tommy Fleetwood grew up near Royal Birkdale, sometimes sneaking in as a kid. He learned golf at cheaper local clubs and became a fan before turning pro. Now he’s a favorite at The Open 2026 with a great first round, loved by locals as "Tommy Lad," and giving back through his affordable kids’ academy. Meanwhile, past winner Spieth is having a tougher time.

FAQ

1. What is Royal Birkdale?
It’s a famous and fancy golf club in Southport, England, where big tournaments like The Open are played.

2. What does "one under par" mean?
It means the player took one fewer stroke than the course expects for the round — a good thing!

3. Why is Tommy Fleetwood called "Tommy Lad"?
It’s a friendly nickname people in his hometown use because they love and support him.

4. How does Tommy help kids learn golf?
He runs a six-week academy at Formby Hall for just £75, so kids from normal families can learn without paying huge fees.

5. Did Jordan Spieth win at Birkdale before?
Yes, he won The Open there in 2017, but the course has changed since then.