The love for Fleetwood, who was raised three miles up the road and continues to have a strong bond to the area, is unconditional.
Packed galleries on each hole all week have provided a visual and audio reminder, in case anybody had forgotten.
The roar which went up when he birdied the par-four fifth could be heard across the site, only bettered in volume after another putt went down for a two on the par-three seventh.
That put Fleetwood into a share of third place before he moved within one of the lead with another birdie on the par-four 11th.
If there was anyone who did not believe that he was in contention, they did now.
But, as he has been accused of doing before, Fleetwood did not show a killer instinct when it counted.
Bogeys on the 15th and 18th did not soften the adulation as he played the last – the crowd carrying home with a tidal wave of noise – but they have jeopardised his hopes of finally winning a major title.
Nevertheless, Fleetwood says the day was close to his golfing utopia.
“I was within one of the lead at The Open playing on the back nine,” he said.
“It’s been pretty close already, and then you’ve just got the ultimate at the end of it, which would be holding the Claret Jug.”
More to follow.
