3 weeks ago
11
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.
Tommy Fleetwood is finally a PGA Tour winner after sealing victory at the Tour Championship
Fleetwood was emotional after beating Patrick Cantlay to the title - and the $10million prize
'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.'
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.
The delighted Englishman lifts the trophy aloft on the 18th green at East Lake, Atlanta
Fleetwood plays his tee shot on the 18th, with his adoring fans filming the historic moment
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.
