The talented Englishman has been here before, but something feels different as he hunts his first American victory at TPC Southwind

Tommy Fleetwood fired a six-under 64 on Friday, capping off another scorching finish with four consecutive birdies to take a commanding four-shot lead at 13-under par in the FedEx St. Jude Championship. It’s a position the 34-year-old Englishman knows well – except this time, something feels different. After consecutive rounds in the 60s, Fleetwood sits atop the leaderboard with his sights firmly set on that elusive first PGA Tour victory.

The numbers tell a story that’s both impressive and frustrating. Despite six DP World Tour victories and 41 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, Fleetwood remains without an American victory. But in Memphis, where playoff pressure meets championship opportunity, the conversation has shifted from “if” to “when.”

The Travelers Ghosts and Moving Forward

The shadow of the Travelers Championship still looms – that brutal Sunday in late June when Fleetwood held a commanding position only to three-putt from just short of the green for bogey while Keegan Bradley grabbed victory with a birdie. “Right now I would love to just go and sulk somewhere and maybe I will do,” he said that day. “But there’s just no point making it a negative for the future really, just take the positives and move on.”

That mindset appears to be paying dividends at TPC Southwind. “Of course, when you shoot two good scores, it’s easy to say everything has been going well,” Fleetwood said. “But I think for the most part I’ve been very good off the tee, put myself in position to have a go at the course. My iron play has been good and solid, and I’ve rolled the ball well.”

The Weekend Chase Pack

Behind Fleetwood at nine-under sit a trio of dangerous contenders: Collin Morikawa, Akshay Bhatia, and Justin Rose. Morikawa’s Friday included a highlight-reel hole-out eagle from 127 yards at the ninth hole, while Bhatia came off his career-best 62 from Thursday. Justin Rose still has two holes to complete when play resumes Saturday morning, having reached nine-under before weather suspended play.

Six shots back lurks world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, whose four-under 66 Friday featured eight birdies and four bogeys in a round marked by rare frustration with lies in the bermuda rough. The four-time major champion’s presence alone adds weight to any weekend leaderboard.

Playoff Pressure and Championship Dreams

For Fleetwood, the FedEx Cup playoffs are almost an afterthought – he’s already locked into the Tour Championship field. “What he cares about is winning,” and this weekend represents perhaps his best opportunity yet. “It hasn’t happened for me yet out on the PGA Tour, but I would much rather be up there and not quite get it done than not there at all,” Fleetwood said.

The stage is set for either breakthrough or heartbreak. With his ball-striking sharp and his putter cooperating, Fleetwood has positioned himself exactly where he wants to be. The question isn’t whether he can handle the pressure – he’s proven that on golf’s biggest stages, from Ryder Cups to major championships. The question is whether this weekend marks the moment when talent, preparation, and opportunity finally converge in Memphis.

The Weekend Verdict

As Fleetwood prepares for the weekend at TPC Southwind, he finds himself “in command of his game from tee-to-green” and armed with the experience of recent heartbreak. Four shots may feel comfortable, but in professional golf, leads evaporate faster than morning dew in Tennessee heat. What won’t disappear is the feeling that this might finally be Tommy Fleetwood’s time.