McIlroy supports Fleetwood to handle Open pressure at Birkdale

Rory McIlroy has expressed confidence in Tommy Fleetwood's ability to manage the expectations of competing in The Open at Royal Birkdale, close to Fleetwood's hometown of Southport. Fleetwood, aiming to become the first Englishman to win The Open since 1992, faced challenges in the 2017 edition, finishing well behind the champion. McIlroy, who experienced pressure in his own hometown major in 2019, acknowledges the unique challenges but believes Fleetwood is equipped to handle them. The Open is set to draw large crowds this week, with fans eager to see how Fleetwood performs under the spotlight.