Tommy Fleetwood came agonisingly close to a first PGA Tour victory as he finished second to Keegan Bradley at the Travelers Championship.
The Englishman held a two-shot lead heading into the final round and that advantage remained with three holes to play on Sunday.
Fleetwood stood on the 18th tee still a shot ahead of Bradley and appeared in full control of the tournament when he found the middle of the fairway with a perfect drive.
But his approach came up slightly short, leaving him a long putt, while Bradley fired his to within six feet in a raucous atmosphere, the home fans firmly behind the man who will captain the America Ryder Cup side later this year.
Fleetwood’s first putt was a poor one and he then missed the second from six feet, giving Bradley a perfect read in the process.
The 39-year-old made no mistake as he snatched victory, with Fleetwood left to reflect on a three-putt that meant he did not even take it to a play-off.
"I'm gutted right now," said Fleetwood.
"I've not been in that situation for a long time. It's probably the worst way to finish.
"Leading by two with three to play. Leading by one going into the last and you don't even make it to a play-off. It's the worst way it could go."
Fleetwood has seven wins on the DP World Tour but has not yet made the breakthrough on American soil.
He has finished second at the US Open, third at the Masters and fifth at the PGA Championship, while he was beaten on the fourth play-off hole at the Canadian Open in 2023.
Fleetwood now had 42 top-ten finishes on the PGA Tour, the most of any player without a victory in the last 40 years.
