mmy Fleetwood would love to reward his hometown fans in the final round of the British Masters on Sunday and how he would enjoy claiming English bragging rights over three world No 1s and a Ryder Cup legend.
When the old tournament returned to the European Tour’s rota in 2015, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose initially agreed to take their turns in acting as tournament promoter. However, none of that illustrious quartet managed to prevailed in their respective years.
This has been Fleetwood’s chance to be host on the wonderful Hillside links adjacent to Royal Birkdale and near to where he grew up and at only three back he has the chance to succeed where his four garlanded countrymen fell short.
A 68 in front of an impressive 18,000 crowd hurtled Fleetwood to 11-under and on to the heels of the pacesetters, Matt Wallace and the Swede Markus Kinhult. The Southport galleries have made no secret where their affections lie and they greeted their local hero fighting back in passionate voice.
Before his eagle on the 11th, the world No 16 was nine behind Wallace in the windy conditions, but courtesy of Fleetwood playing those last eight holes in five-under and Wallace dropping three shots coming in, the gap is tantalisingly breachable as he targets a win to take into Thursday’s first round of the USPGA Championship in New York.
“The leaders have been that far in front of me for most of the week, that it's been easy to switch off and do my own thing,” Fleetwood said. “And I’ll continue to do that and see what happens. To be honest, I’ve not had great energy levels. Frankie [his 19-month son] had tonsillitis last week and he's given me something.
“I've been a bit slow for two-and-a-half days so it was great to get something going on that back nine and give the crowds something to cheer. Playing in front of my home supporters, especially when so many have turned out, has exceeded my expectations in every way.”
Wallace seemed to be cruising towards a fifth title in two years when he took a four-shot advantage after birdieing the first three holes. But on the 12th he finally made his first bogey of the tournament and on the 15th he took a double-bogey six, after hitting a spectator with his ball after slicing his drive.
On 12-under after a 71, Richie Ramsay is in third place, while there is another Scot alongside Fleetwood in the young left-hander Robert MacIntyre. And Eddie Pepperrell, the defending champion, is not completely out of it on nine-under following a 70.
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