Fleetwood has had a terrific 2022–23 season, racking up eight top-10s. That includes a tie for third at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Tommy Fleetwood has been knocking on the door. It has to be a matter of when and not if, right? One would think so, but we are left wondering…What IF?
Ok, we have all seen him play. His talent: undeniable. His swing: pure. His iron play: top class. Yet, he has yet to win on American soil. He has been close so many times, including this past weekend at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, but just hasn’t been able to close out a Sunday with a Win.
“It’s better than being the other way,” Fleetwood said after finishing in a tie for third Sunday. “It’s better than being nowhere near. Yeah, of course, it’s frustrating, but I think I have to look at it in a positive way and be proud of the golf I’m playing and the work that we’re doing.”
Indeed, Fleetwood should feel proud of his game. His performance at TPC Southwind earned him $1.16 million, which helped him surpass the $20 million career earnings mark.
It’s baffling but true: Fleetwood has just become the first player in PGA Tour history to surpass $20 million in career earnings without recording a victory.
His play in Memphis also marked the 22nd top-five finish of his career and the sixth of the 2022–23 season.
The Englishman has been close, perhaps no closer than when he lost to Nick Taylor at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. Taylor’s 72-foot putt on the fourth playoff hole sealed the deal. Talk about snake-bit…
Fleetwood did not make it into the playoff at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, however. He finished at 14-under par, one shot behind Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover.
Glover prevailed on the first playoff hole, recording a win for the second straight week on the PGA Tour.
“I’ll keep playing the way that I have always done,” Fleetwood added Sunday. “In those [final] rounds, I haven’t done much wrong, and I’m feeling very, very comfortable. I’m just trusting that it will happen, staying the course, and playing my game.”
“It’s easy to be a downer about it, but at the end of the day, it’s much better than a lot of other scenarios.”
Even though he has not yet entered the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour (YET), Fleetwood has undoubtedly won in more ways than one.
More like, say.. $20 million ways. Ill show myself out!
