Open Championship power rankings: Top ten at Royal Birkdale

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

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PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 02: Tommy Fleetwood of England celebrates a berdie on the 13th green during day four of the HNA Open de France at Le Golf National on July 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

There are “home games” like the one Steve Stricker enjoyed in Wisconsin for this year’s U.S. Open. Then there are home games – Fleetwood grew up literally minutes from Royal Birkdale, and cherishes his memories of sneaking on for a few holes when the marshals were looking the other way.

Just imagine what memories could be made if Fleetwood finds a way to hoist the Claret Jug at week’s end.

This year, though, Fleetwood is far more than just a “hometown boy done good” story. He’s a legitimate contender, and he’s become one of the better players on the European Tour. Ranked 14^th in the Official World Golf Ranking and leading the Race to Dubai, Fleetwood is riding a streak of four straight top-ten finishes, including a huge victory at the HNA Open de France two weeks ago.

The Open Championship is known for some legendary stories. Fleetwood is clearly playing the best golf of his life, and he likely knows Royal Birkdale at least as well as anybody in the field this week. It’s been 25 years since Nick Faldo won the Open at Muirfield. Fleetwood could be Britain’s favorite son in a week’s time.

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