Atlanta – Tommy Fleetwood finally broke the drought and conquered his first victory on the PGA Tour. After numerous failed attempts, the English golfer won the Tour Championship, solidifying an impeccable performance. With a final round of 2-under par (68 strokes), Fleetwood finished the tournament with a total of 18-under par, beating Russell Henley and Patrick Cantlay by three strokes at East Lake Golf Club. This triumph came in his 164th PGA Tour appearance, marking the end of a long wait that, although full of frustrations, was worth it. Fleetwood took home the coveted FedEx Cup and a prize of 10 million dollars.
Despite his seven victories on the DP World Tour and another three international titles, Fleetwood had yet to be crowned in a PGA Tour event, until this Sunday. Fleetwood’s perseverance was evident on multiple occasions. His 30 top-5 finishes without victories were the most on the PGA Tour in the last century, according to collected data. In addition, his total earnings of $33.4 million were the highest for a golfer without victories on the circuit.It’s easy for anyone to say they are resilient, that they recover, that they have a fight. It’s different when you actually have to prove it.
Tommy Fleetwood
In recent months, Fleetwood has been close to victory on two occasions. At the Travelers Championship, he led by one stroke on the 72nd hole, but a triple putt cost him the win, losing to Keegan Bradley by one stroke.I never really felt it wouldn’t happen. But there are always doubts.
Tommy Fleetwood
I am upset now. I am angry. It hurts.
Tommy FleetwoodTwo weeks earlier, at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Fleetwood led by two strokes with three holes to play in the first stage of the playoffs, but a performance of more than 1 stroke relegated him to third place. The victory on the PGA Tour was a goal that Fleetwood longed for, and this triumph completes his story of near misses. On Sunday, the situation wasn’t so dramatic. After a bogey on the 10th hole that reduced his lead over Cantlay to one shot, Fleetwood reacted with birdies on the 12th and 13th holes, regaining a three-shot lead. On the 18th hole, his lead remained at three shots. Cantlay’s bogey on the par-4 16th hole practically sealed his comeback chances. Fleetwood became the first golfer to achieve his first victory at the Tour Championship at East Lake since Chad Campbell in 2003. Scottie Scheffler, world number one, had a complicated start, quickly losing ground. After a double bogey on the 15th hole, Scheffler was out of the fight for the title. Scheffler finished with a round of 68 strokes, finishing in fourth place with 14 under par, extending his top-10 streak to 14 consecutive tournaments, tying Jack Nicklaus. Corey Conners and Cameron Young also shared fourth place.Keegan Bradley, the captain of the American Ryder Cup team, began the final round three strokes behind Fleetwood and Cantlay. Bradley also suffered on the complicated 15th hole, which cost him a double bogey. Bradley will announce his six selections for the Ryder Cup on Wednesday. He considers the possibility of choosing himself as the “most important decision of his life”.I fought all week to give myself a chance. I wasn’t as sharp as I hoped. I had a good first round, but other than that I didn’t play my best golf the first few days. Still, I gave myself a chance. I just needed a few better shots.
Scottie SchefflerThe last time a captain played in the Ryder Cup was Arnold Palmer in 1963. Bradley, currently ranked 13th in the world, has a difficult decision ahead.No matter what decision I make here, I could have easily gone the other way, no matter what. The only thing that matters to me is that on Ryder Cup Sunday we win the Ryder Cup. Then I’ll know I made the right decision.
Keegan BradleyNobody wants to win the Ryder Cup more than Keegan Bradley. I know he will make the decision that is best for the team. In the end, it all comes down to who plays the best golf.
Maverick McNealy
