Tommy Fleetwood received an unusual assist during the BMW Championship final round at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland on Sunday. The English golfer, starting the day at seven-under-par, was aided by a fly as he made a birdie on the second hole, which helped him advance up the leaderboard.
Fleetwood’s putt initially stopped just short of the hole, resting on the lip. However, as he approached, the ball inexplicably dropped in, much to the delight of the crowd gathered around the green. This peculiar incident proved to be a key moment in his round.
Replay Reveals Fly’s Role in Unusual Birdie
Replays confirmed that a fly played a surprising role in the outcome. The insect landed on the ball when it was near the hole, then moved to the other side, causing the ball to rotate and fall into the cup. Sky Sports commentator Dame Laura Davies noticed the fly during the live broadcast and later saw the video replay validate her observation.
There he comes and he goes, ‘no, I’m not having this, I’m going to wander over the equator’. And in we go, thank you very much.
—Dame Laura Davies, Four-time major winner
Fleetwood’s Performance and Standings at BMW Championship
The early birdie moved Fleetwood to eight-under-par for the tournament and was one of three birdies he recorded during his final round. Despite dropping a shot on the fifth hole, he maintained strong form to finish tied for fifth place. This result secured his position as fifth in the FedEx Cup rankings heading into the Tour Championship.
Along with his tied-fifth finish, Fleetwood will earn $728,750 in prize money from the BMW Championship, plus a bonus of $1.45 million for his FedEx Cup standing. This followed a recent tied-third finish at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he relinquished a 54-hole lead to finish just one shot behind winners Justin Rose and JJ Spaun.
Fleetwood’s Consistency and Ryder Cup Qualification
Despite not yet having a PGA Tour victory, Fleetwood has amassed 30 top-five finishes, underscoring his steady performance on tour. His consistent play has also secured him an automatic qualification for Team Europe’s Ryder Cup squad at Bethpage Black next month. He joins fellow qualifiers Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy as part of Europe’s six automatic selections, which will be finalized after the British Masters on August 24.
Context of the BMW Championship and Upcoming Events
The BMW Championship serves as the concluding event determining Team USA’s automatic picks for the Ryder Cup, which will follow shortly after Team Europe finalizes its roster. Meanwhile, players like Keegan Bradley, Bryson DeChambeau, and other notable competitors continue their preparations for this high-profile international contest. Fleetwood’s position heading into the Tour Championship demonstrates his ongoing presence among the top contenders on the PGA Tour this season.