Tommy Fleetwood was dealt one of the most sickening feelings in golf at the Travelers Championship, after collapsing on the final hole and surrendering the title – one that would have been his first on the PGA Tour.
Fleetwood was on the cusp of finally banishing the demons and joining the winners circle on tour, after leading the Travelers standing on the 18th tee box.
After an up-and-down battle with USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, and outsider challenger Russell Henley, Fleetwood looked as though he had all but wrapped the title up.
After saving par on the 17th, the British star held a one shot lead on the last hole, and everything looked on course for glory after Fleetwood hit the fairway with a sublime drive. Bradley matched the shot in kind, but the two men were then split when it came to approach shots. While Fleetwood’s nervy effort only found the front fringe of the green – a huge distance away from the cup – Bradley managed to stiff his shot to within 5 feet of the pin and send the American crowd wild.
As the pressure mounted, disaster soon struck for Fleetwood.
His putted effort from the fringe of the green fell some way short, and did not even get inside Bradley’s ball. Worse still, the English ace immediately knew the positioning would give Bradley a read of the putting line.
All those rooting for Fleetwood then experienced heartbreak, as the the 34-year-old agonisingly missed the follow up putt for par, showing Bradley the perfect line, before tapping in for a bogey. Sensing blood and surging with adrenaline, Bradley sunk his birdie putt to skip a stroke ahead of Fleetwood and win the Travelers Championship at the very death.
Cameras panned to Fleetwood, who looked entirely shellshocked and inconsolable. Despite this, the Englishman still fulfilled his media duties and immediately spoke to reporters.
Fleetwood fought back tears and continually rubbed his eyes as he tried to find the appropriate words for Sky Sports and the CBS cameras.
“I’m pretty gutted right now,” Fleetwood began.
“[There was a] couple of wrong clubs down the last couple, I didn’t putt great today.
“Putted really well all week but felt there was a stretch in the back nine that was my time to take control.
“On 18 you know, especially after flushing a drive, was feeling really good. But we got that all wrong, and the putt I left in the worst possible place in front of Keegan’s ball.
“Probably the worst way to finish, not even making it to a play-off. But Keegan played great. I’m gutted really, but we’ll go home and start practicing again.”
Fleetwood must now somehow compose himself and rally once more, with the final major of the golf season fast approaching.
The Open Championship is to be held at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, from July 17-20.