Many players would likely bend at the knees when faced with the challenge of facing Rory McIlroy on Sunday.
But not Tommy Fleetwood. As he and McIlroy prepare to face the final round of the Genesis Scottish Open, Fleetwood thinks it could be inspirational.
McIlroy continues to lead the way with a 13-under par after shooting a 67 on Friday at The Renaissance, with South Korean Tom Kim a bit behind.
But it’s a scorching Fleetwood that seems to be the greatest danger. Balancing on 11 under, he rocketed into the race after another scintillating 63.
The Englishman shot the same scoreline in the final round of the US Open last month, the second time he has done so in a major, only to fall short.
Tommy Fleetwood hopes to top the Scottish Open rankings on Sunday
Ryder Cup star Rory McIlroy currently maintains a one-stroke lead at the top of the standings
But he is determined to do better here in East Lothian – and would love to trade blows with his friend and Ryder Cup team-mate McIlroy.
Particularly with fellow European star Shane Lowry also very much on the lookout for the Under-10s, Fleetwood insists it would be quite a spectacle if the Ryder Cup trio started to birdie each other.
‘Yeah, that would be nice. It’s great that we’re all playing well,’ said Fleetwood, who will play alongside McIlroy and Kim in the final group, with tee times brought forward again.
“I would like to think that we all push each other to try to be better. I’m always happy to see these guys do well.
“It will be great for us to play together and be in the last round of a tournament like this.
“For European golf as a whole, it’s great when so many guys are doing well.”
If Saturday is supposed to be moving day, then Fleetwood has made quite the rise in the rankings.
He was tied when he stood on the ninth tee Friday afternoon, so he’s essentially 11-under for his last 28 holes.
Fleetwood had a superb run of -7 on Saturday
It is perhaps unsurprising that he entered the fray. Growing up in Southport, he honed his craft at Hillside, West Lancs and Birkdale.
The 32-year-old thrives on link courses and also has unfinished business with the Scottish Open, having finished tied for fourth last year and losing in a play-off in 2020.
“Friday I was at normal level for the tournament with 10 holes to play – at that time the first stop is to do the weekend,” Fleetwood said.
“But I played very well from there and today I got a bit of momentum, especially with a fast start. [birdies at first two holes after starting at 10th].
“It was just one of those days when things go your way more than the others and I drove it better than Friday.”
“I’ve played well at this course for the past few years, so hopefully I can continue on Sunday.”
This should be great preparation for Fleetwood as he prepares to hit Hoylake next week, a course he knows well.
He added: “It’s an open house for me, the North West is where I’m from so that means a lot.” He has a lot of feelings for me.
“I’m excited to play in front of the crowd, every time the Open comes around I’m so excited to play.
“Hoylake has had some great winners over the years so it would be great to add you to that list.
McIlroy will have to hold off the charge of several Scottish Open hopefuls on Sunday
Fleetwood birdied eight and dropped just one shot on its way to a 63 round
“It’s going to be a great test I think. But obviously I’m looking forward to Sunday first and foremost and trying to win the Scottish Open.
Fleetwood had eight birdies and just one lost shot on its way to a 63, which finished the day’s lowest round.
But McIlroy remains the man they are all trying to catch. He was pretty calm yesterday en route to a 67.
It wasn’t until the end of the round that he looked doubtful, dropping two shots on his back nine.
There is a feeling that McIlroy could play well within himself. Despite leading the pack, he hasn’t reached his peak yet.
This could well be quite worrying in the run-up to next week’s Open Championship at Hoylake.
Despite leading the pack at the Renaissance Club, McIlroy is believed to have yet to reach the peak of his game
Former Scottish Open champion Shane Lowry is also well placed to fight for the title
“It was another really good round of golf,” said the Northern Irishman. ‘Very solid.
“I feel like I’ve left a few in the last few days, but at the same time, at least the last few holes, it was pretty tough conditions.
‘I played well. It’s been a good three days and I’m looking forward to obviously being in the final group on Sunday and seeing how my game holds up to that kind of pressure.
Lowry was another man who made a positive move up the rankings on Friday.
Lowry carded a 65 on Saturday to move to 10 under at the Scottish Open
The former Open champion shot a 65 to move to 10 under, where he is joined by world number 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Lowry feels he is now back on the Links rhythm after landing some ‘strange’ shots earlier in the week as he tried to adapt.
“Living in the United States these days, it even takes me a while to come back and play here,” he said.
“I felt on Thursday that I was a little rusty with the whole thing, and I hit some really weird shots that I never would have landed in a links tournament.
South Korean Tom Kim currently sits second in the standings just one stroke behind McIlroy
“So I’m playing my way through the week well. I’ve had two great runs in the last two days and I’m in a good position heading into the final.
“We have forecasts of strong winds, so it will be interesting to see what happens.”
As they did yesterday, tournament organizers have moved the tee times forward to the morning in hopes of avoiding the worst weather conditions.
It worked well, but the predictions for the final round look a little bleaker. It may be up to McIlroy, Fleetwood and Lowry to light it with a low score as they go on a trophy hunt.