Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood have endured very different experiences at The Open Championship this week.
Playing on home soil, Fleetwood remains in contention for the title at Royal Birkdale, where he has received immense support.
In stark contrast, Spieth missed the cut in Southport, although he did show his class after playing alongside the Englishman in rounds one and two.
Fleetwood was joined by the American and Spaniard Jon Rahm at The Open, and received a classy message from Spieth late on Friday.
Jordan Spieth hopeful Tommy Fleetwood can win The Open
As per The Athletic, Spieth appeared to pat Fleetwood on the back after their second round at Royal Birkdale, with his kind words at the time now emerging:
“I said, ‘That was awesome.’ What amazing experience it has to be for him. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything else like that. It felt like a Ryder Cup, but for one guy. Which is pretty incredible. I just told him that I’m pulling for him, and that I hope he gets it done.”
It was a really lovely touch from Spieth, who had a tournament to forget after finishing the first two rounds on 10-over.
He was well behind the cut line of one-over at Royal Birkdale, with only four players finishing below the three-time major champion.
Is Tommy Fleetwood the best current player without a major win?
Despite his superb ability and vast experience, Fleetwood has yet to claim a major championship win, and may just be the best current player without such a success.
His wider career record is certainly one of the most remarkable, with the Englishman claiming his only PGA Tour win at last year’s TOUR Championship.
But he has finished as runner-up on six occasions, having also shone very brightly elsewhere, namely the Ryder Cup.
Fleetwood has also impressed at Royal Birkdale this week, and is looking to finish strongly after carding rounds of 69, 67 and 69.
He’s part of a very competitive top of the leaderboard, but holds the major advantage of the massive support behind him.
Fleetwood’s best result at The Open came back in 2019, when he finished as runner-up to Shane Lowry at Royal Portrush.
Read more: Tommy Fleetwood reveals what he said to his caddie after taking his first tee shot at The Open
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