Memphis, Tenn. – Tommy Fleetwood held another closing ceremony on Friday for four consecutive birdies, taking a 64-shot lead in the FedEx Cup St. Jude Championship, with his attraction set to the elusive PGA Tour.
The top 50 of the FedEx Cup focus scored more than the first playoffs. Fleetwood has been locked to the finale on the Tour Championship. What he cares about is winning.
“In the PGA Tour, that hasn't happened yet, but I'd rather be there than do it completely,” Fleetwood said. “Who knows? Maybe this weekend is the weekend, we'll see, we'll start from there.”
Fleetwood was low on 13 shots below 127 and scored four shots against Collin Morikawa (65) and Akshay Bhatia (69). Justin Rose also got 9 under par after the 16-16-hole Birds. The storm rolled into the area, causing spectators to leave the route and suspended the game until Saturday morning.
Fleetwood ended with four consecutive birdies on Thursday. He played three straight games ahead of schedule, including 30 feet on the edge of the fourth hole of the third stroke from TPC Southwind. He also made two key savings on the turn before another game.
Tommy Fleetwood has been locked to the finale all the time in the Tour Championship – but his eyes are set on the elusive PGA Tour champion. George Walker IV/AP
He covered a pair of 15-foot birdie putts on the 13th and 14th. On the 15th, he stuffed the wedges into a 5-foot bird. He then reached 2, 16, 16 at about 30 feet, making his fourth birdie in a row.
The only bogey was in his last hole from bunker to thick roughness, and the safe shot was about 50 feet long pins.
“Of course, when you play two good points, it's easy to say everything goes well,” Fleetwood said. “But I think for the most part, I've been doing great on the tee and being able to play. My iron shows are good and solid, and my balls are good.”
Kurt Kitayama scored a low score in 63 rounds, bringing him to the top five on the charts as a reminder of how fast Fortunes can change.
The FedEx Cup playoffs were an afterthought until two weeks ago. He ranked 110th until he won the 3m Open in Minnesota. Now he is ranked 52nd, with his next goal being the BMW Championship next week outside Baltimore.
It's hard not to focus on the top 50 this week, because as the playoffs advance, anyone in the top 50 can guarantee all eight of next year's $20 million signature campaign.
“I think everyone is in most cases,” Kitayama said. “But you can't control what everyone else is doing. If you play well, you'll take care of yourself. That's my mindset. But yeah, I've peeked a lot on the scoreboard.”
Scottie Scheffler is not needed to see. The PGA and British Open champions have taken a far-reaching lead in the FedEx Cup, and he ensures that he maintains the highest level this week. This doesn't mean he's cruising without care.
Scheffler slowed down on his last nine bogeys, landed roughly, devoured his golf ball and made him obviously frustrated. He still fired 66, 6 shots behind.
Jordan Spieth has an 8-foot par putter in the last hole, turning to the cup, and it looks like it falls from gravity alone when it hangs on the edge. This sums up his three bogeys, three birdies and a 70-day, which put him behind 12 strokes and faces a lot of pressure on the weekend as he tries to avoid 50 out of the second straight year.
Bud Cauley fell behind Kitayama in the 53rd FedEx Cup, hitting 69 when the game was suspended and in seventh place.
After the second round is completed, the third round will be played with one-third of the score between the two sides.
Fleetwood is ranked 15th in the world, playing against some powerful areas on the European Tour with seven wins. He thrives on the big stage overseas, especially the Ryder Cup. This is just a small problem with the PGA Tour champion.
In late June, he was on the edge at the Travelers Championship until the last amazing flip, when he took three putts from the Dwarf’s green short while Keegan Bradley made Birdie beat him.
“Now, I'd love to be angry somewhere, maybe I'll do it,” he said. “But, in reality, it's negative for the future, just take a positive attitude and keep moving forward.”
He got another chance at TPC's Southwind on the weekend, but still only halfway, but at least there was a chance there and directing his game.