Tommy Fleetwood looked poised to capture his elusive first PGA Tour victory at the 2025 Travelers Championship, only to be edged out in a dramatic final round by Keegan Bradley, who secured a thrilling one-shot win at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Fleetwood, the English golfer who has long been a consistent top contender yet without a PGA Tour title, surged into the lead during the third round on June 21, 2025. He posted a flawless 7-under 63, notably hitting every fairway, and built a commanding three-shot lead at 16-under 194. His performance was a masterclass in precision and consistency, with just three missed greens and a remarkable 65-foot putt on the fifth hole. This stellar round extended his bogey-free streak to 32 holes heading into the final day.
Born in Southport, England, in 1991, Fleetwood has earned a respected reputation with seven European titles, three Ryder Cup appearances, and a career-high world ranking of No. 9 in 2018. Despite 42 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour—the most by any player without a win since 1983—PGA Tour victory has remained just out of reach. “I’m on top of a lot of stat lines for people that haven’t won on the PGA Tour, so to always be a No. 1 at something is always nice,” Fleetwood joked on Saturday. “Yeah, of course I would love to win on the PGA Tour... This is like my first real chance, so I’m really excited about that and looking forward to it.”
His closest challengers after the third round included Keegan Bradley and Russell Henley, both tied for second place at 13-under. Henley had shot a career-low 61 earlier in the day, while Bradley matched Fleetwood’s 63, keeping the pressure on the leader. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, celebrating his 29th birthday, stumbled badly with a triple bogey on the first hole and finished nine shots behind. Justin Thomas also struggled, posting a 73 after a quadruple bogey on the par-5 13th.
The stage was set for a gripping Sunday showdown, but Fleetwood’s lead quickly evaporated. He bogeyed three of his first four holes, including a crucial misstep on the par-3 16th, where his tee shot sailed well past the green. Despite a birdie at the par-5 13th, Fleetwood found himself at 2-over for the round at the turn, allowing Bradley to catch up at 14-under. Bradley electrified the crowd with a stunning 64-foot birdie putt at the ninth hole, a moment that shifted momentum in his favor.
Both players exchanged birdies and bogeys down the stretch, but the tension climaxed on the 18th hole. Fleetwood’s approach landed just off the front of the green, and he ultimately three-putted for a bogey after narrowly missing an 8-foot par-saving putt. Bradley, on the other hand, landed his approach within six feet and calmly sank the birdie putt to clinch his eighth PGA Tour win and first of the 2025 season.
“Of all the shots and all the putts I’ve hit, I think I’ll remember that one the most,” Bradley reflected after his victory on CBS. The American Ryder Cup captain’s comeback was a testament to his resilience and skill, especially under the intense pressure of a final-round duel. Bradley’s win at 15-under-par earned him a $3.6 million payday from the tournament’s $20 million purse and propelled him into the top 12 of the U.S. Ryder Cup standings. His recent form, with three top-10 finishes in his last four starts, has positioned him as a strong candidate for the Ryder Cup team this fall at Bethpage Black.
Fleetwood, though disappointed, remained composed in defeat. “I’m upset now,” he admitted. “I’m angry... Right now, I would love to just go and sulk somewhere, and maybe I will do [that]. But there’s just no point making it a negative for the future.” His consistency this season has been impressive, with five top-10 finishes and only one missed cut at the U.S. Open. His last victory came at the Dubai Invitational on the DP World Tour in 2024, and he came close to winning on the PGA Tour in 2023, losing in a playoff at the RBC Canadian Open.
The dynamic between Fleetwood and his towering caddie Finnis, who stands 6-foot-7 and has been by his side since 2016, has been a notable aspect of his career. Their close relationship is well-known on tour, with Finnis even serving as Fleetwood’s best man at his wedding.
While the headline moment belonged to Bradley, the event also highlighted the challenges faced by other top players. Scheffler’s uncharacteristic triple bogey on his birthday and Thomas’s quadruple bogey showed how demanding TPC River Highlands can be under pressure. Meanwhile, Jason Day finished tied for fourth at 13-under, five shots back, showing his competitive edge.
The 2025 Travelers Championship once again proved to be a thrilling tournament, blending moments of brilliance with heartbreak. Fleetwood’s quest for his first PGA Tour title continues, while Bradley’s victory has injected fresh excitement into his season and Ryder Cup prospects. As the PGA Tour season progresses, fans will eagerly watch both players as they chase new milestones and prepare for the upcoming Ryder Cup showdown.
