Tommy Fleetwood Leads at Tour Championship
ATLANTA — Tommy Fleetwood, known for his resilience through numerous defeats, shot a remarkable 7-under 63 with eight birdies, tying for the lead at the Tour Championship alongside Russell Henley. The competition for the $10 million prize is intensifying.
Fleetwood, increasingly recognized for his poise amid tough losses, aims to secure his first PGA Tour victory, adding to his impressive collection of European tour titles. However, he finds himself in this position frequently and has grown weary of repeated questions about his potential to win.
Perhaps this time, the Englishman can clinch two awards for his inaugural victory: the FedExCup and the “Calamity Jane” replica putter, the trophy for the champion of the Tour Championship.
“I can only continue to learn,” Fleetwood reflected. “I feel I’ve performed admirably when I’ve led tournaments and been in contention. It just seems I’ve fallen short at the end. It’s not a total collapse, but rather not completing the task. Winners are typically those who consistently find themselves in contention.”
“That’s my target,” he added. “I thrive on the excitement of being in contention, and I’m eager for this opportunity once more.”
The only misstep he mentioned was the mishap with his clippers, raising questions about whether he had shaved. He finds this preferable to the ongoing inquiries about his chances of winning.
Henley also had a strong performance, finishing with a birdie-birdie for a 66, sharing the lead at 13-under 127. Scoring was exceptionally low, aided by soft greens and the recent heavy rain; the tee times were moved up to prevent disruptions. The new format enables all top 30 players to start even, making for a competitive leaderboard.
Cameron Young bolstered his Ryder Cup ambitions with a sharp 62, remaining two shots behind. Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay, the 2021 FedExCup champion, nearly eliminated himself from contention but recovered with a 30 on the back nine, finishing with a birdie-birdie-eagle streak and a score of 66, placing him three shots back alongside Robert MacIntyre.
