PGA Tour: Travelers Championship.. Leaderboard Results
Legendary Scottish Sky TV broadcaster Ewen Murray tweeted earlier today " I know we are supposed to be impartial, but I can't help but pull for Tommy Fleetwood to get his first PGA Tour title today. So far so good !!"
After a record 41 top 10 PGA Tour without a win, whatever the result, you knew Fleetwood would conduct himself with the dignity he displayed in all of them including a gut wrenching loss at the 2023 Canadian Open when Canadian Nick Taylor fluked at 75 foot playoff winning putt, only to be embraced by Tommy with a warm handshake, and a congratulatory "well done, amazing"
As the day went on his 3 shot lead was narrowing to 4 holes, letting the chasing pack in including local favourite and course specialist, record holder at -23, 2023 champion Keegan Bradley.
At the 72nd a par4, the Englishman was 1 shot ahead. Bradley hit a fine approach to 6'. Fleetwood, revered as a premiere iron player hit a poor approach, 50 feet away. He then went and 3 putted the green for a bogey 5.
Bradley could barely believe his luck, he had 1 to win and 2 to tie. He made that straight forward birdie putt in front of his delirious fans for the win
He began screaming, did a chest bump with his caddy, they cavorted a while while Bradley continued to scream at the crowd.
Eventually he got a hold of himself, remembered there were others on the green. He quickly shook hands with an official, Tommy's caddy, then without a caring word or acknowledgement of any kind for Fleetwood who must have been crushed, he barely shook his hand before running off for more screaming at the crowd before his family arrived.
Winning any tournament, especially when it's close like today, deserves a brief celebration, then quickly gentlemanly congratulations to your opponent, some acknowledgement for the match won, that's the way each Ryder Cup match will end no matter how exciting.
Just like Tommy, or Adam Scott, or Justin Rose, all wonderful gentlemen golfers, examples, role models for proper conduct.
Keegan Bradley as we all know is fidgety nervous wreck. How he will manage to conduct himself like the gentleman a Ryder Cup captain must inherently possess is doubtful to say the least, today's over the top, unsportsman like display less than 100 days to Bethpage will serve as fodder for Tommy Fleetwood's European team mates, they usually don't need it.
Bryan Angus
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