The colourful mural has appeared weeks before the Open is due to begin
A mural of Tommy Fleetwood has been painted at Southport and Birkdale Sports Club
Thousands are expected to descend on Merseyside as a global sporting event returns to one of the regions seaside towns next month. The 154th Open Golf Championship is returning to Southport in July, with people from across the world expected to visit the town for the major event.
Ahead of the Open, Scottsdale Golf has commissioned a mural of Southport’s own Tommy Fleetwood at Southport and Birkdale Sports Club. The mural, completed by Paul Curtis, covers the 50m by 20m wall which takes inspiration from a photo of the 35-year-old competing in the 2023 Ryder Cup.
The now-completed mural took around two weeks for Paul to complete and is on show ahead of the competition that’s due to start on July 16 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. It comes as Tommy Fleetwood looks to win his first major victory in his hometown.
Bradley Stubbs, marketing director at Scottsdale Golf, said: “This is a project that means a great deal to us, not only because of the scale of the mural, but because of what it represents.
“Tommy’s connection to Southport makes this a natural fit, and working with a local artist to bring that story to life adds another layer of authenticity. We wanted to create something lasting for the town during a significant moment for golf in the region, and this mural is a reflection of that ambition.”
Once completed, the installation will stand as one of the most prominent pieces of golf-related public artwork in the area, providing a lasting visual tribute during the tournament and beyond.
Paul said: “Creating a mural of Tommy Fleetwood ahead of one of golf’s biggest weeks has been a real privilege.
Southport-born Tommy Fleetwood will return to his hometown when the Open returns to Merseyside
“Tommy is someone the local community is incredibly proud of, and myself and Scottsdale Golf wanted the artwork to reflect both his achievements on the world stage and his strong connection to Southport.
“The scale of the wall gave us an opportunity to create something truly impactful that people can see and enjoy throughout and after the championship has left town.
“It has been a demanding project, but seeing the piece come to life and knowing it celebrates both a local sporting hero and a major moment for the region has made it incredibly rewarding.”
The aim of the mural was to capture the emotional release that makes golf so compelling – the exhilaration of sinking a high-pressure putt and the overwhelming sense of joy that follows.
Paul added: “The biggest challenge during the project was working in the intense heat. Alongside the constant need to stay hydrated and regularly apply sun cream, the temperatures also created practical problems with the paint.
“If I left my palette for even a few minutes, I would often return to find the paint had become sticky or, in some cases, had dried out completely.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of painting the mural was discovering just how much affection there is for Tommy within the local community.
“People regularly stopped to share stories of knowing him personally or to express how proud they are to see someone from Southport representing the town on the world stage.”
The mural is part of Scottsdale Golf’s takeover at the sports club to create a hub for golf fans during the championship. Running from Monday, July 13 through Sunday, July 19, Scottsdale Golf will transform the venue into a 3,000-capacity destination designed to offer an alternative way to experience championship week outside of the course gates.