Tommy Fleetwood admitted he was ‘gutted’ after squandering a three-shot lead on the final day of the Travelers Championship.
The Englishman had appeared destined to win his first PGA Tour event heading into Sunday.
Fleetwood suffered an agonising collapse at the Travelers ChampionshipGetty Keegan Bradley capitalised to secure a one-shot victory on SundayGettyHowever, a two-over par 72 opened the door for Keegan Bradley to surge into the lead on the final hole and win by single stroke.
Fleetwood was made to rue two bogeys on the final three holes at TPC River Highlands.
Despite dropping a shot on the 16th, he had remained narrowly in the lead going into the final hole.
The 34-year-old three-putted from the fringe, though, as his hopes of victory faded.
As well as missing out on a maiden PGA Tour triumph, Fleetwood also saw almost $2million (£1.5m) in prize money slip away.
His earnings from a sixth runners-up finish equalled $1.76million (£1.3m), whilst Bradley pocketed $3.6million (£2.7m) as winner.
Despite the crushing end to his final round, Fleetwood gave a TV interview immediately afterwards.
Speaking to CBS, he admitted: “I’m gutted. A couple of wrong clubs down the last couple.
“I didn’t putt great today after putting well all week. There was a stretch on the back nine where I should have taken control.
“I left one in the jaws on 12 and I was playing good. On 14, a weak putt. On 16, a tough up and down.
Fleetwood was hailed for speaking to the media despite his heartbreaking lossGettyView Tweet: t.co/oOvXzAwYAU
“I was feeling good after flashing the drive on 18 but we got that one wrong and left it in the worst possible spot in front of Keegan’s ball.
“Then I didn’t hit the best putt. Things to work on. I hadn’t been in that situation for a long time and I felt I did a good job for the most part.
“But it’s the worst way to finish: leading by two with three to play and then leading by one down the last but not even making a play-off.”
His candid interview has since been hailed by fans and pundits on social media.
Golf writer Michael McEwan wrote: “So much respect for Tommy Fleetwood speaking on TV after an utterly gut-wrenching loss.
“Absolute class in the face of professional devastation. Magnanimity personified. God, I’d love to see him lift the Claret Jug next month.”
Bradley denied Fleetwood a first PGA Tour win as well as claiming $3.6m in prize moneyGettyFleetwood’s second place finish on Sunday sees him climb up to second in the Team Europe Ryder Cup rankings behind Rory McIlroy.
He is now set for a break from the course, though, with the world number 13 absent from the field at this week’s Rocket Classic in Michigan.
Instead, his attention will begin to turn towards next month’s Open Championship.
The final Major of the year is scheduled for July 17 to 20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Fleetwood’s best finish at the Open came at Portrush in 2019, where he finished in second behind runaway winner Shane Lowry.
Meanwhile, there has not been an English winner of the event since Nick Faldo claimed his third victory in 1992.
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