How did Tommy Fleetwood react to a McIlroy showdown? Exactly as you would expect
Tommy Fleetwood has teed up a golden opportunity to claim his maiden PGA Tour title at the Scottish Open but Rory McIlroy stands in his way.
Tommy Fleetwood says he is 'excited' to be in the mix to try and claim his maiden PGA Tour title at the Scottish Open but he isn't getting ahead of himself.
Though Fleetwood has as many as six victories on the European DP World Tour, the Englishman is yet to capture one on the North American circuit.
He has flirted with that elusive win on a number of occasions.
Last month he teed up a golden opportunity to claim the Canadian Open but was denied over extra holes by Nick Taylor.
Fleetwood has given himself another wonderful chance to break through at the Renaissance Club.
Related: Sam Burns in rules fiasco at Scottish Open
As many as eight of the world's top-10 teed it up in the last tournament before heading to Royal Liverpool for the 151st Open Championship.
After 54 holes Fleetwood sits on 11-under, two back of Rory McIlroy.
Birdie number five for @McIlroyRory and extends his lead to two #GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/mGzrSTZKwi
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 15, 2023
The 32-year-old made an almighty charge on Saturday, posting a 7-under 63.
He made birdies at 3, 7 and 9 before picking up more strokes at 10, 11, 14, 15 and finishing with a birdie after he dropped a shot at the par-3 17th when he missed the green short right.
There are a number of big names also in contention. Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry are within three strokes of the lead. Max Homa is a further stroke back.
Winds of up to 40mph are expected which is why tee times have been brought forward. The first group will tee of at 6:45 BST.
Fleetwood said:
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He added:
Leader McIlroy said: "I feel like I've left a few out there but I mean, it's hard to be disappointed when you're in the lead going into the final day. I'll certainly take it.
Leaderboard:
R. McIlroy -13
T. Kim -12
T. Fleetwood, B. Harman -11
E. Cole, J.T. Poston, Ben An, S. Scheffler, S. Lowry -10
M. Homa -9
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