Tommy Fleetwood's Travelers Wound Still Stings Him Amid First Playoff Lead

Newsweek

6 days ago

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Tommy Fleetwood has seven DP World Tour titles to his name, but a PGA Tour trophy remains as the biggest gap in his resume.
Since turning professional in 2010, Fleetwood has racked up 42 top-10 finishes on U.S. soil, more than any player without a win since 1983. But the 34-year-old's first PGA Tour win might happen on Sunday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 09: Tommy Fleetwood of England watches a tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 at TPC Southwind on August 09, 2025...
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 09: Tommy Fleetwood of England watches a tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 at TPC Southwind on August 09, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by) More
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On Saturday, Fleetwood closed his Round 3 with 1-under 69, holding the 54-hole lead at FedEx St. Jude Championship. Going into the final round, he would remain one shot ahead of Justin Rose and two ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
This isn't the first time the DP World Tour winner is coming so close to winning. This had occurred before at the Travelers Championship just months ago, and Fleetwood still feels the sting.
That Sunday in Cromwell, Fleetwood held a one-shot lead heading into the final hole. But a three-putt bogey on the 72nd hole handed the win to Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who birdied the last to snatch victory.
"I led the tournament for such a long time, and it didn't happen," Fleetwood told reporters on Saturday at TPC Southwind. "It's taken me a long time to win out here, and I still haven't done it. But the best possible scenario at Travelers was: can I put myself in that position again sooner rather than later?"
Fleetwood's Saturday round wasn't flawless. He opened with a birdie but stumbled with a double bogey at the par-5 third and a bogey at the seventh. Still, he rallied with birdies on 9, 12 and 16 before a closing bogey on 18 trimmed his lead.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD SOLO LEAD HEADING INTO THE FINAL ROUND.
IS THIS THE WEEK?! pic.twitter.com/lU9fkgLV7q — Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) August 9, 2025
On Sunday, the English golfer teed off at 1:40 p.m. ET alongside Justin Rose, a longtime friend and fellow of his. Fleetwood praised Rose's aggressive play and resilience, noting how difficult the course has been.
"Justin (Rose) sort of went aggressive with the driver and made birdie out of the rough," Fleetwood stated during Saturday's post-round conference. "Even when I did make mistakes, putting the ball in play gave me a chance to bounce back."
"Justin (Rose) is someone I've looked up to. He's had such an amazing career. I always enjoy trying to play against the best and learn from the guys that have done so well."
But if Fleetwood wants to finally lift that PGA Tour trophy, he'll have to fend off Scheffler. "Tomorrow might be my day, it might not," he expressed during the same conference. "But being there is the most important thing."
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