The world’s #1 player imploded on his 29th birthday while Tommy Fleetwood stayed flawless – and now the Englishman is 18 holes away from his breakthrough PGA Tour victory

Saturday at TPC River Highlands was supposed to be Scottie Scheffler’s birthday party. Instead, it turned into a masterclass on how quickly golf can humble even the best player in the world. While thousands of fans serenaded the birthday boy on the first tee, Scheffler responded with his first opening-hole triple bogey in his entire PGA Tour career. Talk about an awkward thank you.

Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood was quietly putting on a clinic. The 34-year-old Englishman didn’t miss a single fairway – something he didn’t even realize until after his round – and posted a flawless 63 to grab a three-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round at the Travelers Championship.

The Collapse That Nobody Saw Coming

Here’s what makes Scheffler’s meltdown so shocking: this is a guy who’s been virtually unstoppable all year, finishing outside the top 10 just once since March. But golf has a way of serving humble pie when you least expect it, and Saturday’s opening hole was a five-course meal.

The sequence was brutal to watch. Drive into thick rough, wedge into the bunker, then a skull shot over the green that led to a pitch-and-putt nightmare. By the time he walked off the first green with a 6, you could feel the energy shift. The crowd went from birthday celebration to awkward silence in about 10 minutes.

But here’s the thing about Scheffler – even on his worst day, he’s still dangerous. Despite the horrific start and shooting 72 (his fifth over-par round all year), he managed to birdie the last hole and sits just nine shots back. In golf terms, that’s still within striking distance for someone of his caliber.

Justin Thomas Joins the Disaster Party

If Scheffler’s day was bad, Justin Thomas might need therapy after hole 13. Picture this: you’re still in contention, feeling good about your chances, and then your club literally slips out of your hands on the tee shot. The ball finds the railroad tracks – yes, actual railroad tracks – and what follows is golf’s version of a car crash you can’t look away from.

Two chip shots that rolled back down the hill. A missed 6-foot putt. A quadruple-bogey 9 that essentially ended his tournament. Thomas went from contender to also-ran in the span of one hole, finishing 10 shots behind Fleetwood.

Fleetwood’s Perfect Storm

While chaos reigned around him, Fleetwood was in his own zen-like bubble. Three eagles in three days – including back-to-back eagles on the 13th hole – and a putting display that would make Brad Faxon jealous. This is a guy who’s been knocking on the PGA Tour door for years, consistently ranking among the world’s top 25 but never quite getting over the line.

“I’m on top of a lot of stat lines for people that haven’t won on the PGA TOUR,” Fleetwood said with typical English understatement. Translation: I’m really good at almost winning, and I’m tired of it.

The Pressure Cooker Awaits

Sunday sets up as a fascinating psychological battle. Fleetwood has everything to gain and nothing to lose – a PGA Tour victory would validate years of near-misses and cement his place among elite players. But the pressure of closing out your first Tour win is unlike anything else in golf.

Keegan Bradley and Russell Henley lurk three shots back, both seasoned winners who know how to pounce if the leader stumbles. Bradley especially loves this position – he won this tournament two years ago and feeds off the “USA” chants from New England crowds.

Why This Matters More Than Just Another Tournament

For Fleetwood, Sunday represents the difference between being a very good player and being a PGA Tour winner – a distinction that carries massive weight in professional golf. He’s got seven European Tour wins, three Ryder Cup appearances, and consistent world ranking status, but that first PGA Tour victory remains elusive.

The beauty of golf is that it doesn’t care about your resume when you’re standing over a 4-foot putt with the tournament on the line. Fleetwood has 18 holes to prove he belongs in the winner’s circle, while a field of hungry competitors waits for any sign of weakness.

After watching the world’s best player implode on his birthday, anything can happen at TPC River Highlands. The only guarantee is that someone’s going to have a very different Sunday than they expected.