Southport's golfing star Tommy Fleetwood experienced crushing disappointment in Atlanta on Sunday, falling to world number one Scottie Scheffler in a nerve-shredding sudden-death playoff at the Tour Championship.
The Englishman, seeking his first PGA Tour victory on American soil, had forced the extra holes with a magnificent clutch putt on the 72nd hole. The dramatic birdie capped a superb final-round 67, drawing him level with Scheffler at 11-under-par for the tournament at East Lake Golf Club.
However, the fairy-tale finish wasn't to be. On the first playoff hole, Fleetwood's approach shot found a treacherous greenside bunker. His subsequent recovery left a testing par putt, which agonisingly slid past the edge of the cup.
This opened the door for the relentless Scheffler, who coolly sank his own par putt to clinch the title and cement his status as the game's dominant force.
'It's a tough one to take,' a visibly emotional Fleetwood conceded afterwards. 'I fought so hard all day and gave myself a chance. To finish like that is disappointing, but Scottie is a great champion. I'll learn from this and come back stronger.'
Despite the gut-wrenching defeat, Fleetwood's performance reinforces his world-class credentials and provides a massive boost ahead of the upcoming Ryder Cup in Rome, where he will be a cornerstone of the European team.
