Hometown hero Tommy Fleetwood surges into contention at British Open

SOUTHPORT, England — The “Son of Southport” is in position to win his dream British Open in his hometown.Tommy Fleetwood, aka “Tommy Lad,’’ as he’s called by the fans at Royal Birkdale, is 4-under par, four shots off the lead, after shooting 67 on Friday.“I’ve put myself where I’m four shots off the lead,’’ he said.“So it’s like if I play well, I know I’m sort of going to be closing in, if you like.’’Fleetwood called the crowds willing him on “unbelievable.’’“They’ve been an absolute pleasure to play in front of for these two days,’’ he said.

“I love that I played some good golf there and something to cheer about.A hundred percent, they make a big difference to me.“It’s such a unique thing, like it’s not that many people get to experience what I’ve experienced this week so far and what I will do for the weekend.

Whether I play good or bad, I can’t let myself miss out on that.I have to take it in and enjoy it because it is very special and I’m very lucky in that respect.’’Two of the key figures from past Opens played at Birkdale — Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose — failed to make the cut in this one.Spieth, who won in 2017, had a nightmarish second round and finished 10-over, failing to make the weekend.

Spieth shot a 42 on the back nine, with a 9 on the par-5 17th.And the 45-year-old Rose, who introduced himself to the golf world as a 17-year-old amateur by finishing tied for fourth in 1998, missed the cut by one shot, at 3-over, and was warmly serenaded by fans on his way off the 18th green.Rory McIlroy has driven the green on the 414-yard, par-4 ninth hole in both of the first two rounds, and two-putted for birdie both times.Asked if that was his plan entering the week, he said, “No, the practice rounds I played were in a completely different wind direction.I didn’t even think about it.

Then when I got on the tee (Thursday) and saw the wind, it was like, ‘Well, the corner on the right the...