Englishman hits final round 68 to win by three shots
Patrick Cantley and Russell Henley tie for second
It was not Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley, Scottie Scheffler or any other golfer that Tommy Fleetwood had to battle with at the Tour Championship. Instead, the Englishman had to see off the burden of recent history. Fleetwood prevailed, taking his maiden PGA Tour title on his 164th start. Sometimes the good guys win. East Lake delivered one of the most heartwarming tales of the sporting year, a victory for persistence and proof that a relatable golfer can be a triumphant one.
Fleetwood displayed magnificent mental strength to brush aside scar tissue caused by falling short, agonisingly so, twice since late June. The most remarkable thing about this success was how unremarkable it all looked. Fleetwood’s closing 68 was so blissfully simple.
Amusingly, for a golfer who had endured so many near misses in the United States, Fleetwood actually lifted two trophies at East Lake. He is the latest winner of the FedEx Cup. The acclaim that met Fleetwood, in a land so far from home and in direct competition with Americans, served to demonstrate his huge popularity. “Tommy, Tommy,” chanted the adoring crowd as he approached the final green. Even those nudged into lesser leaderboard positions could not reasonably deny Fleetwood his moment. He is a nearly man no more. LeBron James posted words of celebration towards the Southport man. LeBron James!
