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Fleetwood 'gutted' after Travelers Championship heartbreak

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A “gutted” Tommy Fleetwood was left to lament a huge opportunity squandered after he was denied victory at the Travelers Championship by Keegan Bradley.

The Englishman looked on course to win his first PGA Tour title, but let a lead slip on the final hole.

Fleetwood, who held a three-stroke advantage heading into Sunday’s final round, was two shots in the lead with three holes to play.

That lead was cut down to one shot ahead of the final hole, and a bogey from Fleetwood on the 18th was duly punished by Bradley, who will captain the USA at the Ryder Cup in September.

Fleetwood was left in despair following his final shot, with the 34-year-old disappointed in his putting game in the clutch moments.

“I'm gutted,” Fleetwood told CBS. “A couple of wrong clubs down the last couple. I didn't putt great today after putting well all week.

“There was a stretch on the back nine where I should have taken control.

“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.”

Bradley, who won the 2011 US PGA Championship, gained momentum in the final round after a 35-foot birdie on the 15th.

The 39-year-old did not believe he would win the tournament until it happened.

“Really, really crazy,” Bradley said. “I felt like I was just too far behind the whole day. I was just chasing, chasing.

“I just had that feeling that I was just too far behind the whole day, but I came in here and made the putts when I needed to.”

Russell Henley, who finished tied for second on 14-under, said: “He [Bradley] just plays with so much passion. He wants it, he wants to compete, he wants to win. It just means so much to him. That was a really, really cool moment on 18.

“I definitely feel for Tommy and I've been in that situation before and it stings, so it's the nature of sport.”