Tommy Fleetwood, the English golf sensation, is on the brink of ending his PGA Tour title drought, and the stage is set for an electrifying weekend. Just a week after Cameron Young celebrated his first PGA Tour victory, Fleetwood has surged into contention at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, showcasing a dazzling performance that has captivated fans and analysts alike.
With only a minor blemish marring his impressive scorecard—an unfortunate bogey on the final hole—Fleetwood delivered a stunning second-round 64 at TPC Southwind, positioning himself atop the leaderboard with an impressive total of 13-under 127. As rain halted play at 3:31 p.m. CT, he found himself four shots ahead of the competition, leaving Collin Morikawa and Akshay Bhatia in pursuit at nine under par 131. Justin Rose, also at nine under, faced an uphill battle with two holes remaining before a fierce thunderstorm swept through, drenching the course.
Despite his eight international titles, Fleetwood’s quest for a PGA Tour crown has been elusive across 161 starts. His heartbreaking near-miss at the Travelers Championship in June, where he squandered a three-stroke lead with just four holes to play, left him with a bitter taste as he finished second yet again. But the 34-year-old is determined, and his current form suggests he may finally claim that elusive victory.
“We’ll see,” Fleetwood remarked with a hopeful smile. “Happy to put myself in with a chance over the weekend. I think that’s exactly where you want to be and keep testing yourself. Yeah, it hasn’t happened for me yet out on the PGA Tour, but I would much rather be up there and not quite get it done than not there at all, and who knows, maybe this weekend is the weekend, and we’ll see, and we’ll crack on from there. But look forward to tomorrow first.”
Fleetwood’s game has been nothing short of stellar, particularly in his tee-to-green performance. He has dominated driving accuracy, hitting 24 of 28 fairways, and has excelled in greens in regulation, landing 29 of 36. His scoring prowess is showcased by an impressive tally of 15 birdies against just two bogeys. Notably, he has experienced two exhilarating stretches of four consecutive birdies on the back nine, including an exhilarating finish to Thursday’s round, which could serve as a crucial confidence booster as he gears up for the final rounds.
“Those were two nice runs to get on, really,”
Fleetwood noted, reflecting on his performance. His recent success on the international stage, highlighted by securing the winning point for Europe in the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, adds to his credentials as he prepares to anchor his team at Bethpage Black next month.
“It’s not easy really. I’ve just happened to have played really well, put the ball in play, but happy with those two birdie runs. … I think if you’re hitting it well off the tee, it makes the course very gettable,” he emphasized.
Yet, as the excitement builds, the challenge ahead is unmistakable. Fleetwood knows that sustaining this level of play over the next 36 holes will be critical. “Whatever score I am through two rounds, you’re going to have done everything well,” he acknowledged, focusing on the positive aspects of his game. “But I think still you’ve got to focus on the good stuff and try and keep that going.”
With his eyes firmly set on victory, Tommy Fleetwood is poised to make history. The question remains: will this be the weekend he finally breaks through on the PGA Tour? As fans hold their breath in anticipation, the drama of professional golf unfolds, promising excitement and heartbreak in equal measure.
