CROMWELL, Conn. — At the Travelers Championship, Tommy Fleetwood emerged as the leader heading into the final round after delivering a near-perfect performance on Saturday. Avoiding the mistakes made by Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas, Fleetwood shot a seven-under 63, positioning himself three shots ahead at TPC River Highlands amid challenging weather conditions and intense competition.
Fleetwood, a 34-year-old Englishman with seven DP World Tour wins and three Ryder Cup appearances, remains in pursuit of his first PGA Tour title. His steady play and impeccable accuracy on the course set him apart from the field, as he never missed a fairway during his round — a key factor behind his commanding 16-under 194 total.
The Struggles of Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas Shift the Leaderboard
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, faced a difficult day on his 29th birthday, opening with a triple bogey—the first time in his PGA Tour career he has started a round with such a setback. Despite a supportive crowd serenading him at the first tee, Scheffler’s early mistakes left him unable to recover, finishing with a one-over 72 that dropped him nine strokes behind Fleetwood.
Scheffler’s troubles began when he drove into thick rough early on and compounded his woes with a failed bunker shot, ultimately resulting in a triple bogey. Over the course of the day, he recorded his fifth round over par this season. Nonetheless, he managed a birdie late in the round to stand tied for eighth position.
Justin Thomas, also sharing the 36-hole lead with Fleetwood before Saturday, found himself unraveling on the front nine. His tee shot on the par-5 13th landed on the railroad tracks left of the fairway, and a mishandled club led to further mistakes. Thomas twice missed short chips on an uphill green, culminating in a quadruple bogey 9 for the hole, and finished with a 73, placing him 10 shots behind the leader.
Challengers Keegan Bradley and Russell Henley Stay Within Striking Distance
New England native and Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who previously won the Travelers Championship in 2021, posted a 63 on Saturday, keeping him within reach of Fleetwood’s lead. Bradley thrives on the pressure of playing before the home crowd, which rallied behind him enthusiastically throughout the round.
“Oh, man, you’re going to have to shoot something at least in the mid-60s, probably where I am, probably lower,”
Bradley said, highlighting the challenge of Sunday’s final round.
“When you play a course where you’ve got to make birdies it brings a different challenge. You can’t have a stretch of 1-over par for seven holes or you lose a million shots. So in some aspects it’s difficult just like a hard course would be.”
Russell Henley remains another strong contender after carding a 61 the day prior, following a round marked by a self-called penalty that showed his integrity. Both Henley and Bradley will be looking to capitalize on their momentum in Sunday’s final round.
Fleetwood’s Steady Play and Key Moments Secure Advantage
Fleetwood’s performance was highlighted by three eagles during the week, including one on the 13th hole for the second consecutive day. His precision on fairways and greens gave him plentiful birdie opportunities and allowed him to pull clear from the rest of the field. Despite the sweltering heat, Fleetwood managed the course conditions masterfully.
Reflecting on his status as a top player without a PGA Tour victory, Fleetwood said,
“I’m on top of a lot of stat lines for people that haven’t won on the PGA TOUR, so to always be a No. 1 at something is always nice.”
He also expressed keen desire to break through.
“Yeah, of course I would love to win on the PGA TOUR. I think it’s like an element of your career that everybody wants, and I of course want it. I haven’t, this year especially, I don’t feel like I’ve given myself … I’ve given myself a back-end chance a couple of times this year, but I’ve not been in contention. So this is like my first real chance, so I’m really excited about that and looking forward to it.”
Other Notable Performances and Overall Course Conditions
Jason Day rallied with three consecutive birdies on the back nine to shoot 67, placing him five shots behind Fleetwood and in contention for a top finish. However, no other players remained within eight strokes of the leader.
Saturday’s heat tested all competitors, though the absence of wind kept scoring averages at about par. The final group of Scheffler and Thomas combined to finish five over par, emphasizing how demanding the course played despite calm weather. Fleetwood’s flawless fairway accuracy contrasted sharply with the struggles of others, underscoring the fine margins that separate leading players.
Implications for the Final Round and Future Prospects
With Fleetwood holding a three-shot lead entering Sunday, the stage is set for a tense final round at the Travelers Championship. Keegan Bradley and Russell Henley remain dangerous challengers, but Fleetwood’s consistent performance and clinical play have positioned him strongly to capture his maiden PGA Tour victory, a milestone that has eluded him despite sustained success internationally and top rankings.
The battles of Scheffler and Thomas serve as reminders that even the best players can falter under pressure, leaving the door open for Fleetwood to seize the moment. The outcome will not only affect the players’ standings but could also shift momentum on the PGA Tour as the season progresses toward its culminating events.