After all the near misses, taunts and suggestions that he was destined to never win in the US, Tommy Fleetwood finally got the job done on Sunday night. In a divided sport, the relief will have been unanimous.
The prize for Fleetwood’s patience after 164 PGA Tour starts was an astonishing $10million (£7.4m) – the spoils of victory for his three-shot triumph over Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley at the Tour Championship.
No doubt such a obscene sum will ease the pain of a long wait, but financial rewards will be a distant second to a golfer who had set so many records for getting close without sealing the deal.
There had been six finishes as runner-up, a further half-dozen in third, and a remarkable 30 in the top five, which says nothing for twice leading tournaments by two in the final three holes in the past nine weeks.
He held the same advantage at East Lake, but this time he ended the narrative about his ability to close at the most lucrative Tour stop of all.
‘I am proud of what I have done before, whether I won or not, and this doesn’t change that,’ said Fleetwood, who roared after holing a one-footer for the title.
‘Hopefully this win is the first of many to come. I am so happy to get it done. It is just so special.’
The assumption was that Fleetwood would have to wrestle severe nerves after sleeping on a shared 54-hole lead with Cantlay. On the basis that he lost significant final-round leads at the Travelers Championship in June and again in Memphis to Justin Rose a fortnight ago, that was well-founded.
In line with expectation, there were shaky moments, but he hit the turn with a three-shot lead after going out in 33 and benefitted from no sustained chase on the way back in as he carded a 68. His 18 under par total was four better than Scottie Scheffler, whose presence had the potential to inspire a few extra doubts than Cantlay, but the world No1’s charge never materialised.
Fleetwood added: ‘I hope there are many more chances to go. When you have had as many close calls and let a few slip, a three-shot lead on the last doesn’t feel too much.
‘I love coming to work every day to compete against the best ion the world. You are consistently striving to be better against these amazing players you aspire to beat. I feel so proud to have won this tournament.’
US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley finished seventh, heightening the argument that he ought to pick himself when he names his team on Wednesday. If he does, he will be the first playing captain since 1963.
Fleetwood carded 68 for an 18 under par total, seeing off Cantlay and Henley, who will be up against him at the Ryder Cup next month. Scottie Scheffler was one further back.
US captain Keegan Bradley finished seventh, heightening the argument that he ought to pick himself when he names his team on Wednesday. If he does, he will be the first playing captain since 1963.
Earlier, Rasmus Hojgaard secured his place as the sixth automatic qualifier for Luke Donald’s team by finishing 13th at the British Masters, which was won at the Belfry by Alex Noren.
Hojgaard’s elevation means Shane Lowry is now in need of a pick from Luke Donald, though that is expected to be a formality on September 1.
A fraction more doubt hangs over Matt Fitzpatrick, but his resurgent form this summer, coupled with a sixth-placed finish at the Belfry, means he is likely to be backed by Donald.
