
Fleetwood Seizes Control After Scheffler's Blowup at Travelers
CROMWELL, Conn. — Tommy Fleetwood found a rare focus amidst the steamy Connecticut air on Saturday, delivering a flawless 7-under 63 at the Travelers Championship without missing a fairway. Unfazed by the turmoil happening behind him, Fleetwood carved out a three-shot lead heading into the final round, unfazed by Scottie Scheffler's and Justin Thomas's dramatic mistakes.
Starting the day tied for the lead, Scheffler's birthday round went off the rails immediately with a triple bogey, his first opening triple in his PGA Tour career. A misfire into the rough followed by a bunker mishap unravelled a series of unfortunate chips and putts, leaving him with a round of 72 and nine strokes adrift.
Thomas, too, fell victim to disaster on the par-5 13th, where an errant drive and subsequent quadruple bogey left him with a 73, ten shots out of contention.
Fleetwood, however, played serenely, eager to cross a longstanding ambition off his list—a win on the PGA Tour. “I would love to win on the PGA Tour,” Fleetwood openly admitted, cherishing the rare opportunity as his first true contention of the season. A veteran with seven European titles, Fleetwood seemed prepared for the final push.
The chasing pack includes Keegan Bradley, beloved Rhode Island native and Ryder Cup captain, who posted a strong 63, and Russell Henley, who carded a scorching 61, even after a self-called penalty moment. Henley's honesty paid off, and he remains a viable contender.
Fleetwood's tactical round included only three missed greens and an impressive eagle on the 13th, his third for the week. It widened his gap with Henley and Bradley beneath Sunday's looming pressure.
Jason Day's late surge, with three birdies on the back nine for a 67, left him five shots back, showing the depth of competition among those trailing Fleetwood.
Scheffler managed to end his day respectably with a birdie for a tied eighth, despite his jarring start. Tensions ran high as Bradley looked to fight on in the New England heat.
Fleetwood, standing at 16-under 194, boasts a season of eight top-20 finishes out of 14, yet longs for the triumph that the final round beckons.
Henley, navigating through newfound pressure, shared his reflective growth on tour: “Bringing it together tomorrow is going to be something else.” And with fans chanting Bradley's name, there's a palpable energy at TPC River Highlands that can flip scripts in a heartbeat.
Sunday's round holds the narrative of opportunity for Fleetwood, where precision and poise could finally deliver the victory that has long eluded his PGA resume.