Tommy Fleetwood delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Travelers Championship in Connecticut, narrowly missing out on his first PGA Tour win but climbing five positions in the European Ryder Cup rankings to second place. Conversely, Shane Lowry dropped two places to fifth, reflecting a growing gap between the teammates in their Ryder Cup standings.
Fleetwood maintained a two-shot lead with three holes remaining and held a one-stroke advantage entering the final hole. However, a missed six-foot par putt on the 18th allowed Keegan Bradley to secure victory with a birdie, finishing at 15-under par. Fleetwood and Russell Henley both tied for second place at 14-under, continuing Fleetwood’s pattern of near-wins.
Context on Fleetwood’s Recent Form and Ryder Cup Prospects
Despite this latest defeat, Fleetwood’s runner-up finish bolstered his position on Team Europe, where he now trails only Rory McIlroy with 1,237.43 points in the Ryder Cup rankings. Before the tournament, Fleetwood was behind Lowry, but after Lowry’s 45th-place tie, the ranking shift has favored Fleetwood.
Tommy Fleetwood last won the Dubai Invitational on the DP World Tour in 2024. He has been a consistent presence in recent Ryder Cup squads and has shown strong form on the PGA Tour, including a narrow loss to Nick Taylor in a playoff at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. His multiple runner-up finishes in major tournaments and a silver medal at the men’s golf competition in the 2024 Olympics underline his resilience and skill.
Reviewing Fleetwood’s 2025 Season Performance
Fleetwood has delivered steady results through 14 tournaments this season, reaching the top 10 in five events and missing only one cut at the U.S. Open earlier in June. Ranked 17th globally entering the Travelers Championship, his runner-up finish there pushed him up to 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
His tournament finishes this year highlight his consistency and competitiveness:
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Tied 22nd, 10-under par
- The Genesis Invitational – Tied 5th, 8-under par
- Arnold Palmer Invitational – Tied 11th, 4-under par
- THE PLAYERS Championship – Tied 14th, 5-under par
- Valspar Championship – Tied 16th, 4-under par
- Valero Texas Open – Tied 62nd, 8-over par
- Masters Tournament – Tied 21st, 2-under par
- RBC Heritage – 7th, 13-under par
- Truist Championship – Tied 4th, 12-under par
- PGA Championship – Tied 41st, 2-over par
- Charles Schwab Challenge – Tied 4th, 8-under par
- The Memorial Tournament – Tied 16th, 1-over par
- U.S. Open – Missed cut, 9-over par
- Travelers Championship – Tied 2nd, 14-under par
Implications for Ryder Cup and Future Outlook
Fleetwood’s ascent in the Ryder Cup rankings signals a promising trajectory as Team Europe prepares to finalize its lineup. Meanwhile, Shane Lowry’s continuing slide reflects challenges in maintaining consistent form. Fleetwood’s ability to perform well in key events and avoid missed cuts reinforces his potential to remain a leading figure for Europe.
With the Ryder Cup approaching, these ranking shifts could influence team strategies and selections. Fleetwood’s near victories and steady season build anticipation for a possible breakthrough win soon, strengthening Europe’s competitive chances on home soil.
“Tommy Fleetwood’s near misses continue, but the runner-up spot is key for Ryder Cup hopes.”
—Golf Analyst
“He has finished runner-up twice in majors and also won the silver medal in men’s golf at the 2024 Olympics.”
—Commentator