English golfer warns Robert MacIntyre, other Scots about the ‘pressures’ of playing The Open Championship at home
Robert MacIntyre will play his third Major of the season at The Open Championship 2024. He comes into the tournament with great form on the back of a win at the recently-concluded Genesis Scottish Open and will play at home once again at Royal Troon.
While this should normally be seen as a massive advantage for MacIntyre, English golfer Tommy Fleetwood recently took the time to warn him and other Scottish golfers about the pressures of playing at home.
During a press conference ahead of The Open, Fleetwood spoke about the challenges of playing in front of a home crowd:
"I think being at home brings its own pressures. You put it on yourself as much as anything you want to do well so badly. And it does that a bit more to you no matter what anybody says when it's that close to home, and that it has such an emotional connection to you, it does mean that bit more." [15:08]
With Robert MacIntyre managing to win while playing in front of his home crowd at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open, it will be interesting to see if he can continue that form as he looks to win the first Major of his career at The Open Championship 2024.
Tommy Fleetwood also notes the advantages of playing at home ahead of The Open Championship
When Robert MacIntyre played at the Genesis Scottish Open earlier this month, he received considerable support from the Scottish fans on the course and online. Along with his brilliant play, it surely played a part in leading him to victory at the tournament.
Fittingly, while Tommy Fleetwood reminded MacIntyre and other scots about the pressures of playing at home, he also spoke about its advantages.
![Tommy Fleetwood practicing ahead of The Open Championship 2024 [Image via imagn]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/23759547-1721300593.jpeg?w=500)
In his aforementioned press conference, Fleetwood said playing in front of a home crowd is also one of the best times a golfer can experience:
"But at the same time, they're the best times in your life. When do you ever get that kind of support and a crowd picking you up, whether it's going good or bad, and carrying you as much as they can do? And the receptions that you get throughout the whole round is honestly, it's the most special thing. And I'm so lucky to get to experience that." [15:29]
Tommy Fleetwood heads into The Open Championship 2024 after finishing T34 at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.