At the Travelers Championship final round on June 22, Keegan Bradley secured a dramatic victory after Tommy Fleetwood’s late-round mistakes cost him the lead. Fleetwood entered the day with a three-shot advantage at TPC River Highlands, while Bradley and Russell Henley were tied for second place, chasing the leader closely.
Fleetwood’s three bogeys in the early holes erased his lead, allowing Bradley to catch up and eventually share the top spot. Although Fleetwood briefly regained his edge later in the round, bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes ended his chances, handing Bradley his second Travelers Championship title.
Tommy Fleetwood’s Strong Run Marred by Final-Hole Errors
Fleetwood delivered an impressive performance over the week with rounds of 66, 65, and 63, positioning himself as the favorite for his maiden PGA Tour victory. Despite his strong play, the pressure in the closing holes led to crucial errors that shifted the outcome. His final tally tied him with Russell Henley for second place, marking Fleetwood’s fifth top-10 finish this season.
‘Fore Play Podcast Plus’ host and golf analyst Frankie Borelli reflected on Fleetwood’s misfortune, emphasizing the golfer’s deserving nature despite the collapse. Borelli noted how Fleetwood’s consistent top-ten finishes without a win highlight both his skill and his stature in the sport.
“I got a lot of s*** yesterday, when I wrote that Tommy deserved to win. I sent out a tweet, ‘Wow what a what a performance by Keegan but gosh am I like devastated for Tommy Fleetwood’,” —Frankie Borelli, Golf Insider
“He’s this huge name. He’s this big, like sellable, marketable guy and he’s just never won on the PGA Tour. It’s incredible how popular and loved he is without getting that win. Just goes to show how good of a guy he is, which is kind of what I was tweeting about.” —Frankie Borelli, Golf Insider
Appreciating Fleetwood’s Effort Despite the Outcome
Fleetwood’s near victory sparked discussions about his deservingness for a PGA title given his exemplary play during the week and persistent near-misses on tour. Frankie Borelli pointed out that Fleetwood’s recent performance was among his best and that a late stumble should not diminish the merit of his play.
“Definitely didn’t have his stuff in the beginning and then rided the ship. It’s like at that point if you’re going to tell me that this guy got to 14-under when everyone else was kind of struggling throughout the whole entire week, that’s what I meant like of all the weeks of all the times that this guy’s played, this one felt like he deserved it.” —Frankie Borelli, Golf Insider
“He played the best that he could have played going into those final stretches of holes. And just because you fumble it and you collapse doesn’t mean that the deservingness goes away in my opinion.” —Frankie Borelli, Golf Insider
Currently, Fleetwood is ranked 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and holds the 10th position in the FedEx Cup standings, underscoring his status as one of the top golfers on the PGA Tour.
The Impact of Bradley’s Triumph and What to Expect Next
Keegan Bradley’s triumph at the Travelers Championship signals a significant achievement in his career, marking his second title at this event. His ability to capitalize on Fleetwood’s lapse under pressure showcases his experience and composure in clutch moments. Bradley’s win adds momentum to his season and could influence his standing in the FedEx Cup race going forward.
The tournament highlighted the fine margins that define success in professional golf, with Fleetwood’s near breakthrough contrasting with Bradley’s clutch finish. Moving ahead, Fleetwood aims to convert his consistent high finishes into a PGA Tour victory, while Bradley will look to build on this momentum in upcoming tournaments.