Tommy Fleetwood slays his 'demons' with maiden US triumph as Justin Rose and Shane Lowry roar him on

English star refused to sulk at setbacks and gained ultimate reward with his success at the FedEX Cup

Tommy Fleetwood admits he had to overcome doubts and demons to finally crack the US code.

The English star’s resilience and refusal to accept second-best shone at East Lake as he made his maiden success on American soil a special one by landing the FedEx Cup.

Fleetwood didn’t just win a tournament. He scaled a personal hill which had become a mountain.

The 34-year-old’s recent and painful near misses at the Travelers and the FedEX St Jude just added to the narrative.

In 163 previous efforts, Fleetwood had fallen short. Despite 30 Top 10 finishes and seven DP Tour wins, he’d never triumphed Stateside.

At times, it must have felt he’d never cross the line and the Southport star had to fight off such emotions.

Fleetwood said: “I think it’s easy for anybody to say that they are resilient, that they bounce back, have fight. It’s different when you actually have to prove it.

“I’ve clearly got things wrong in the dire moments of tournaments and I might have made the odd dodgy decision, might have put a bad swing on it.

“But I’ve had to have mental strength in a different way. I’ve had to be resilient in terms of getting myself back in that position, no matter how many times it doesn’t go my way, no matter how many doubts might creep in.

“Think the right things, say the right things to yourself, say the right things outwardly and I am really pleased that I can be proof that if you do all the right things and you just keep going that it can happen.

“There’s always doubt there. It’s a joy to be in contention and try and win golf tournaments, but at the same time, you have to deal with those little demons that are in the back of your mind.

“You remember what you got wrong and you have to force yourself to think of the positives as well as managing everything else, whether it be your expectations, doubt that’s creeping in after the last few times that it’s not gone my way.

“Next time I’m in contention, I’ll have doubts again and I’ll deal with it. It’s just reality. Feelings are feelings.”

Fleetwood’s victory was celebrated by the American crowds who chanted “Tommy, Tommy” as he got the job done.

The Ryder Cup star’s willingness to open up and talk after disappointments have won him huge admiration and the support swelled with each near miss.

Joy erupted in galleries afterwards with stepson Oscar in tears and Euro colleagues such as Justin Rose and Shane Lowry applauding and cheering.

Fleetwood said: “Oscar is a big emotional little baba, really! At the Ryder Cup in Italy, he was one of the first people that I saw after walking off the course in the singles and he was in tears then!

“I’m so blessed with the family that I have. Whatever would have happened, I would have walked off the 18th hole and Oscar would have given me a hug, we’d have gone home and everything would have been great.

“We’d have all been gutted and hurt a little bit, but life would still have been great and I think that’s something that I would never take for granted.

“I’ve always been very lucky that I make a great connection with people. If I could give my kids one piece of advice, I always tell them to be a good person first.

“My dad always told me that, he always said person first, golfer second. I’ve always tried to be that.

“I think definitely people have gathered on the train that has been me trying to chase a PGA Tour win. I try to be positive about everything and say the right things inwardly and outwardly and then I guess people liked the attitude that I had.

“However big or small my inspiring story might be, it was just a story of perseverance. I think the easiest thing to do when it doesn’t go your way is to sulk a little bit or to let it affect you, use excuses if you like, but I said every single time that I just want to give myself another chance.

“I think people have appreciated that I’ve constantly tried to just get back on the horse. To have that buzz and support, people chanting your name, people to be carrying you on their shoulders is a very, very special feeling.

“I’m sure there was plenty of people that were doubting me as well. I think just to prove that if you have the right attitude and you keep going that good things can happen. I’m really, really pleased that I get to do that and that I’m proof that it can happen.

Long-term caddy and sidekick Ian Finnis also shared the moment of joy after the near-misses and Fleetwood added: “I’m sure Finno had doubts about himself. I think it’s only natural, People look at what they think you need to do to improve, what you should do and how you should go about it.

“I would have liked to have enjoy it more with him, but I was going into this mental cocoon of trying to get through that 18th hole. But we had those moments on the last green.

“I got to help Finno get to have those pictures forever and it’s another accomplishment for us two as a team.

“I want to win plenty. It’s just that the first one seems to have taken a long time.”