Tommy Fleetwood slays crash and burn notion as he hunts dream US breakthrough
English star is back in title contention once again as he looks to secure a maiden triumph in the United States
Composed Tommy Fleetwood is adamant his American breakthrough can finally come as he’s not crashed and burned in his recent heartbreaking near-misses in the States.
The English star is back in contention once again at the Tour Championship and sits joint-leader at East Lake with one round to go.
Despite seven career wins on the DP World Tour, Fleetwood has agonisingly been denied success in the USA with close shaves this term.
The European Ryder Cup hero, who will join Rory McIlroy and his team-mates at Bethpage, believes he’s finally storm through the door if he keeps knocking hard and believes he’s performing to the standard capable of making it happen.
Fleetwood said: “I think all I can do is keep learning. I actually feel like I’ve played very, very well when I have led the tournaments and been in contention.
“It’s just I might have not got things right right at the end. It’s not like I’ve crashed and burned. It’s just that I’ve not quite finished things off.
“The people that win the most are the guys that are in contention the most and then they keep winning of course. That’s just what I want to do. That’s where I want to be. I keep going. I love the buzz when I am in contention and I’m just excited for the opportunity again.
“You just keep gaining experience and, like I say, I feel like I’ve done a lot of very, very good things and a couple of things I’ve got wrong or haven’t gone my way right at the very end of the tournaments. The more you are comfortable in those situations and comfortable in that scenario.
“I think I’m playing really good golf. Obviously you want to make the most of when you’re playing well and just because I guess things haven’t worked out for me before doesn’t mean they won’t work out this week or next week or whenever that may be.
“Best possible scenario, put yourself in contention. Play well, put yourself in contention and go from there."
Fleetwood is level with Patrick Cantlay at the summit going into the final round and said: "“It’s where everybody wants to be when you tee it off each week. You want to be in the final group on Sunday or you want to be in contention. I love the fact that I’m playing so well. I love the fact that I’m getting rewarded for my work by being in this position because we all grind so hard, we all practice so hard, but it’s been so long where you don’t get out of it what you put it. Golf just isn’t like that.
“I love that I’m up there again and it’s just another chance. It’s another opportunity. It’s another day where I get to go out and do what I love and enjoy it and be in contention and just go and hit the golf shots and what is like the best pressure, if you like. We’re trying to win a golf tournament and do something very special.
“There’s definitely different pressures than that, whether it’s trying to keep your card or whatever it is. Very excited.”