Tommy Fleetwood is under immense pressure as he clings to a one-shot lead in the PGA Tour title chase, aiming for his first main tour victory. Meanwhile, Australian golfers see their chances of advancing to the next FedEx Cup playoff stage diminish, with Jason Day appearing set to be the lone Australian moving forward.
Competitive Battle at the Top Intensifies
Fleetwood started his third round holding a three-shot advantage but posted a one-under 69, which tightened the race as Justin Rose, also from England, narrowed the gap to just one stroke. Rose briefly held a two-shot lead after a strong start featuring four birdies over five holes between the third and seventh. However, Fleetwood’s early double bogey on the par-5 third hole cost him momentum.
Afterwards, Rose and Fleetwood found themselves paired again in the final group for a consecutive round, with Rose birdieing the last hole while Fleetwood bogeyed, closing the difference to a single stroke once again.
Other Contenders Add Pressure in Final Rounds
This competition isn’t just between Fleetwood and Rose. World number one Scottie Scheffler remains a significant contender, trailing by two strokes. The Open and US PGA champion is striving to secure a fifth victory in nine tournaments, fueled by a five-under par round of 65. Alongside him, US Open winner J.J. Spaun also shot a 65, matching Scheffler for the best score of the day.
Spaun, now tied for fourth alongside Andrew Novak, boasts proven final-round composure after his success at Oakmont. His ability to maintain steady form in crucial moments adds considerable threat to Fleetwood’s quest for a breakthrough win.
Fleetwood’s Pursuit of a First PGA Tour Victory
At 34, Fleetwood is seeking to capture his first victory on the primary US Tour, having come close several times. His career highlights include two runner-up finishes in majors—the 2018 US Open and 2019 Open Championship—along with an Olympic silver medal. He has also finished as runner-up in PGA Tour events, including a playoff loss at the 2023 Canadian Open and second place at the 2017 WGC-Mexico Championship as well as the Travelers Championship earlier this year.
Despite amassing over US$30 million in earnings, Fleetwood has yet to claim a PGA Tour trophy, making this event a pivotal opportunity to end that streak. The ongoing trend in the Tour sees several players finally breaking through: Cameron Young won his first title recently after multiple runner-up finishes, and Brian Campbell also claimed his inaugural win after 187 starts between the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.
Yeah, I just think I would way rather be there and fail than not be there at all,
Fleetwood said.
“So either way, like, it’s a good thing. Yeah, it hurts when it doesn’t happen for you and that sort of streak, if you like, and people talk about it more and more, that goes on.
Obviously it’s not my favorite time, like walking off the 18th at that point. But I practice so hard at my game, and I work so hard and I enjoy being out here four days like this, Sunday going tomorrow, and all the times when you’re 40th place going into Sunday, 30th, 20th, you might have a great day and you might feel good, but it’s just not the same as being in contention.”
As I say, I just look forward to the opportunities and continue to give myself a chance in chasing my dreams, and whether they happen or not tomorrow or the next week or the week after, that’s another story. But I’m looking forward to it nonetheless.
Australian Players Struggle as Playoff Cut Nears
Among the Australians, Cam Davis is the highest placed after shooting a three-under 67 in the third round, which lifted him 14 spots to tie for 38th place. However, his position in the FedEx Cup standings improved only slightly from 69th to 68th, leaving him far outside the top 50 needed to reach next week’s BMW Championship. This effectively ends Davis’s season.
Similarly, Min Woo Lee’s campaign falls short. Starting the week just inside the playoff bubble at 50th, Lee slipped down the leaderboard with consecutive rounds of 72, posting a total of +10, positioning him well out of contention.
Jason Day remains the sole Australian likely to advance, but his hold on contention lessened after a third-round 71, keeping him at even par overall. His FedEx Cup ranking has dropped from 37th to 41st, with only the top 30 progressing to the Tour Championship’s final stage, where the winner receives a $10 million prize.
Significance of the Final Round and What Lies Ahead
The final round promises intense competition as Fleetwood aims to convert consistent contention into a maiden PGA Tour victory amid strong pressure from Rose, Scheffler, Spaun, and others. A triumph here would mark a significant milestone for Fleetwood, further illustrating this season’s theme of players overcoming long winless spells.
For Australians, the near-misses signal a challenging end to the FedEx Cup playoffs, with only Day retaining a faint chance to progress. The upcoming BMW Championship and Tour Championship remain key events that will shape the conclusion of the season, spotlighting the most in-form players as they chase major titles and substantial prize money.