Tommy Fleetwood hailed the ‘special’ support of the Royal Liverpool crowd as he posted his lowest opening round in a major to sit joint-top of the Open leaderboard.
The world No 21 made six birdies, including three in a row at 14, 15 and 16, to post a five-under 66 and share the lead with amateur Christo Lamprecht and Emiliano Grillo as he bids to become the first Englishman to win the Open since Nick Faldo in 1992.
Everton fan Fleetwood, who grew up 30 miles down the road from Hoylake, was roared on after every shot with cries of ‘Come on Tommy, lad’, a catchphrase of the round.