In a dramatic turn of events, Tommy Fleetwood clinched his first PGA Tour victory at the prestigious Tour Championship, marking a significant milestone in his career. Holding a 54-hole lead for the third time in his last six tournaments, Fleetwood found himself tied with Patrick Cantlay at the top of the leaderboard, two shots ahead of the rest of the field. With past disappointments from tournaments in Memphis, Hartford, and Canada weighing on his mind, Fleetwood was determined to transform his opportunities into a long-awaited victory.
“I’m having the time of my life out there, and I’m playing great,” Fleetwood expressed after Saturday's round at East Lake. “I’ve got to enjoy it while it’s happening.” With the final round looming, he acknowledged the uncertainty of the outcome but remained optimistic. Eighteen holes later, Fleetwood proved that the time was indeed his, finally shedding the label of being the best player to never win on the PGA Tour.
Fleetwood's Sunday breakthrough was monumental, as he not only secured the Tour Championship by three strokes over Cantlay and Russell Henley, but he also captured the season-long FedExCup title. This victory was enhanced by a midseason rule change that eliminated the starting-strokes model for the playoff finale, which Fleetwood humorously acknowledged. “A nice rule change this year,” he chuckled, holding the FedExCup trophy. “I’ve been a PGA Tour winner for a long time; it’s just always been in my mind. To finally do it in reality feels great.”
Although Fleetwood is a seven-time winner on the European circuit, his journey on the U.S. tour had been fraught with near misses, including six runner-up finishes and a silver medal at the Olympics. The 2023 season proved particularly challenging. At the RBC Canadian Open, he lost in a playoff to Nick Taylor after a heart-wrenching finish. His struggles continued at the Travelers Championship, where he squandered a three-shot lead with just four holes to play. Reflecting on these setbacks, he stated, “As disappointed as I am, I have to try to find the strength to make it all a positive experience.”
As Fleetwood entered the final round at the Tour Championship, he was acutely aware of the historical context—only two out of 26 players on the PGA Tour who have held three or more 54-hole leads failed to convert at least one. Early on, Fleetwood benefited from Cantlay's mistakes, which set him up for success. Despite a few tense moments, including a bogey at the par-4 10th, Fleetwood managed to maintain his composure.
With a three-shot lead heading into the final holes, Fleetwood exhibited remarkable poise. He extended his advantage with a solid par at No. 16 and executed a stellar drive at No. 17, which led to another stress-free par. As he approached the 18th hole, Fleetwood was still three shots ahead. After hitting his second shot into the rough, he recovered beautifully to secure a par. When the final putt dropped, he celebrated with the crowd, removing his hat and soaking in the moment.
“It makes me a bit emotional,” Fleetwood acknowledged, expressing his gratitude for the support he received from his fans. “I’ve said this last month or so, the buzz that’s been around me when I’ve been in contention has been amazing.” He emphasized the special connection he felt with his supporters throughout this emotional journey.
Earlier in the week, Fleetwood had contemplated the irony of winning both the Tour Championship and the FedExCup, humorously remarking, “I think it would be pretty funny if I won this week and then got the FedExCup as well.” In the end, Fleetwood had the last laugh, walking away with an impressive eight-figure check and a newfound place in PGA Tour history.
