Tommy Fleetwood Conquers the Tour Championship: An Expected Triumph
English golfer Tommy Fleetwood finally tasted victory on the PGA Tour, after overcoming numerous failed attempts. With a final round of 2 under par (68 strokes), Fleetwood secured the Tour Championship title with a total of 18 under par, surpassing Russell Henley and Patrick Cantlay at East Lake Golf Club. This triumph came in Fleetwood’s 164th start on the PGA Tour, marking the end of a long wait that, although filled with frustration, was worth it. In addition to the prestige, he took home the FedEx Cup and a prize of 10 million dollars.At 34 years old, Fleetwood already had seven victories on the DP World Tour and another three international wins, but he still lacked success on the PGA Tour, until this Sunday. Rory McIlroy highlighted Fleetwood’s attitude, emphasizing his resilience. Before this victory, Fleetwood had come close on several occasions. His 30 top-five finishes without a win were the most on the PGA Tour in the last 100 years. With $33.4 million in earnings, he was the highest-earning golfer without a win on the circuit. Fleetwood admitted that, although he always had faith that victory would come, doubt was always present. At the Travelers Championship, Fleetwood led by one stroke on the 72nd hole, but a triple putt cost him the victory. At the FedEx St. Jude Championship, he led by two strokes with three holes to go, but finished tied for third place. The victory on the PGA Tour was a step he wanted to take, and now it completes the story of his failed attempts. In the final round, Fleetwood kept his cool. After a bogey on the 10th hole that reduced his lead over Cantlay to one stroke, he reacted with birdies on the 12th and 13th holes, regaining a three-stroke lead. Cantlay, with a bogey on the 16th hole, practically sealed his chances of a comeback. Fleetwood became the first golfer to achieve his first victory at the Tour Championship at East Lake, a remarkable milestone. Scottie Scheffler, world number one, struggled from the start, with a poor opening shot that took him out of bounds. Despite recovering with birdies, a double bogey on the 15th hole knocked him out of contention. Scheffler finished in fourth place, tied, and extended his top-10 streak to 14 consecutive events, matching Jack Nicklaus. Corey Conners and Cameron Young also shared fourth place. Keegan Bradley, the captain of the American Ryder Cup team, struggled in the final round, including a double bogey on the 15th hole. Bradley will announce his selections for the Ryder Cup on Wednesday, and considers the possibility of choosing himself as the most important decision of his life. The last time a captain played in the Ryder Cup was Arnold Palmer in 1963. Maverick McNealy, who is in tenth place in points, highlighted that Bradley will make the best decision for the team.It’s easy to say you’re resilient, that you recover, that you have a fight. It’s different when you actually have to prove it.
Tommy Fleetwood
