Tommy Fleetwood about to win his first career tour title. Now, he finds himself with a narrow lead heading into the final round of the PGA Tour stop. Now with Scottie Scheffler red-hot on his heels, only two shots back, Fleetwood’s pursuit of his first win has come at an opportune moment. The field is stacked with quality with such players tackling the course as Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler both keen to turn heads.
Scheffler went on to put together a fantastic round of 65, with six birdies allowing him to overcome a shaky start. He is now within striking distance of Fleetwood. All of this has combined to make his performance this season extraordinary. He has 42 top-10s, 28 top-5s, and 11 top-3s – all the most ever for a player winless over the last 40 years. As he heads into the last few days of the tournament, his lockstep play continues to make him a dangerous threat.
Fleetwood’s road to campaign victory has been an easy one, however. Sunday was not easy for him – on 8 he made a double bogey that would have shaken the momentum of most competitors. He quickly rebounded with a sizzling round of 67. This excellent effort earned him a spot in the final group, playing alongside his Ryder Cup compatriot. Fleetwood remains optimistic about his chances, stating:
“It’s just another opportunity for me to go out and try and have the best round of golf I can, enjoy being in that position.” – Tommy Fleetwood
Their compatriot Justin Rose’s path has been littered with peaks and valleys. Having lost a one-shot lead at the Travelers Championship in June when a three-putt on the last hole proved costly, Rose had displayed admirable character. He recovered immediately, doubling on the next hole but then rattling off three straight birdies to take the lead again. He made a notable approach from the rough, hitting within five feet of the pin for his first birdie since the seventh hole. Reflecting on his challenges, Rose remarked:
“The third was just such a kerfuffle and such a mess.” – Justin Rose
Rickie Fowler and Chris Kirk both fired rounds of 66. Those performances propelled each man into the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings. Bud Cauley and Jhonattan Vegas will be right there with them, each having played their way in. At the same time, Jordan Spieth couldn’t groove his swing and limped home with another 70.
This is where the importance of the FedEx Cup standings comes in. Only the 50 best players advance to the second playoff event at the BMW Championship. This milestone ensures their qualification for each of next year’s $20 million signature events. This adds an extra layer of pressure as players position themselves not only for individual titles but for future opportunities.
With the end of the tournament approaching, Fleetwood leads the charge. At the same time, Scheffler’s pursuit of the win presents a daily and ever-present threat. J.J. Spaun and Andrew Novak are three shots back, looking to take advantage of any slips from the top of the board.
The last round should be especially fun to watch, as each competitor works through their own storylines and goals. With all eyes on Fleetwood and Scheffler, fans anticipate a thrilling conclusion to this pivotal event in their golfing careers.
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