Rock On Tommy

Tommy Fleetwood finally got that first big win on the PGA Tour, and he did it in style at the Tour Championship. It wasn’t Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley, Scottie Scheffler, or any other big-name golfer who took him down — it was the weight of his own past struggles. The Englishman had been close so many times, but this time, he pulled it off on his 164th attempt. Sometimes, the good guys really do finish first. The victory at East Lake was one of those feel-good moments of the year, showing that persistence pays off and that a relatable golfer can come out on top.

Fleetwood showed serious mental strength to brush off the tough times — the heartbreak of falling short twice since June — and just keep going. The coolest part? It all looked so simple. His final round of 68 was smooth and effortless, like he was playing on instinct.

Funny enough, despite all those near misses in the U.S., Fleetwood actually collected two trophies at East Lake — the FedEx Cup being the latest. Seeing him celebrate in a place so far from home, up against tough American players, just proves how popular he is. The crowd at the final green was chanting “Tommy, Tommy” like he was their own. Even those lower on the leaderboard couldn’t deny him his moment — he’s officially no longer the “almost man.” LeBron James even showed some love on social media, celebrating Fleetwood’s big day!

Fleetwood reflected on all the near misses — Travelers, Memphis, lots of others — admitting it wasn’t always easy being in those final holes, especially with the pressure building. “I’m proud of everything I’ve done,” he said. “Whether I’ve won or not, I’ve had a good career so far, and I know I’ve got a lot to learn. This is just the start — I want more wins, and I’ll keep working to get better.”

Another cool thing? Fleetwood’s longtime friend Ian Finnis was on his bag — right there for the biggest win of his career. Some players might have swapped caddies after those tough times, but Finnis stuck with him through the ups and downs. He’s experienced the lows and now shares in this incredible victory.

Going into the 17th hole, Fleetwood held a three-shot lead. Cantlay had made a mistake at 16 just before Fleetwood also had a bogey there. But at 17, Fleetwood crushed a perfect drive. Cantlay wasn’t ready to give up — he pulled off an 8-foot approach shot, and his birdie attempt just slipped past. But Fleetwood kept calm, made a simple par on 18, and sealed the deal with a score of 18 under par. Cantlay and Henley shared second place, as Cantlay’s wait for his ninth PGA Tour win goes on.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished strong with a 68, tying with Corey Conners and Cameron Young. Young looking set for a Ryder Cup wildcard spot. Keegan Bradley, who’s about to captain the U.S. team next month, ended at 13 under — alongside Sam Burns and Justin Thomas, both of whom should also be on the Ryder Cup team. Bradley was gracious, sticking around to congratulate Fleetwood as he finished up. Even some European players like Shane Lowry, Harry Hall, and Justin Rose showed support.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy shot a 71 to end his round. He also shared how deeply he wanted Fleetwood to succeed — revealing that he got emotional repping Augusta National earlier this week, even wearing the Green Jacket for a few hours. “It made me cry again,” Rory said. So many players feel the emotions — Fleetwood’s win feels like the start of something big. It’s Tommy’s time.