Monday 15 July 2019 21:54, UK
Tommy Fleetwood is refusing to be too critical about his season ahead of his latest bid for a maiden major title at The 148th Open.
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Fleetwood arrives at Royal Portrush without a win in 2019 and with only three worldwide top-10s in 15 starts, having failed to contend in any of the first three majors of the year.
The 28-year-old also missed out on making a breakthrough PGA Tour victory at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players, although believes there are still plenty of positives to take from his year so far.
"I've had two or three opportunities to win, and some of them were big," Fleetwood said. "If you knock one of those off, the year looks so different.
"People always look at majors and look at those performances, which haven't been that great. I just think I've had two such amazing years, such great years, and this one's just been a little bit calmer and a little bit slower.
"There's still been a high level of consistency. The results haven't been top five or top-10s all the time, but still a high level of consistency in other ways. It's just not been as hot as it has been for two years.
"I think that's always going to happen. If this is the worst I ever do, then I'll be just fine for the next few years. I've had experiences like the Ryder Cup, US Open, where those are amazing experiences and things you look back on no matter what happens."
Fleetwood posted three top-20s in majors in 2018, including a record-equalling final-round 63 on his way to a runner-up spot at the US Open, but has finished no better than tied-36th this time around.
"You can't really force four tournaments a year," Fleetwood added. "You can prepare as well as you possible can and then you have to play well in those weeks.
"I think when you get to a certain point in the world rankings and world golf, when you play week in and week out with the best players in the world, every single one of the majors becomes an opportunity to win a major.
"I haven't really been close this year, but I've played some consistent stuff in other events. Majors are always going to be there and always the ones that everybody wants to win, but putting the urgency or putting too much pressure on yourself is not going to do yourself any favours.
"Just keep doing things as well as you possibly can and hopefully at least one comes along."
Watch The 148th Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports' dedicated channel. Live coverage from the opening round begins on Thursday from 6.30am on Sky Sports The Open.
