PGA Tour golfer Tommy Fleetwood spoke with the media after a sloppy bogey on the 18th hole at the Travelers Championship prevented the Englishman from earning the first PGA Tour win of his career.
That, itself, shouldn’t be a story. But given the current dialogue surrounding PGA Tour golfers and their media obligations (or lack thereof), Fleetwood’s participation is notable.
For those unfamiliar with Fleetwood’s story, the 34-year-old golfer is the undisputed best player in the world without a PGA Tour win. He has 27 top-five finishes on Tour including five runner-ups. On Sunday, he entered the Travelers leading by multiple strokes. Walking up to the 18th green, Fleetwood led by one.
But what should’ve been a straightforward two-putt and, at worst, a spot in a playoff turned into a three-putt and another devastating loss after Keegan Bradley rolled in a birdie for the win.
It was the latest chapter in what has been a tragedy of epic proportions for the three-time Ryder Cup participant. And, as has been well-documented this season, Fleetwood had no obligation to speak with the media. But he did anyway.
“I’m upset now. I’m angry … it hurts.” pic.twitter.com/H8WRGA8Cbh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 22, 2025
“You know, I’m upset now. Gutted. I’m angry,” Fleetwood said before trying to put a positive and optimistic spin on his performance. But it wasn’t anything Fleetwood said that made his interview a great one. It was that he showed up for the interview at all.
This year’s PGA Tour media availability fiasco all started at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa avoided speaking with the media after a heart-wrenching loss, later saying “I don’t owe anyone anything,” then doubling down on his stance. Since then, currents Masters champion Rory McIlroy has repeatedly dodged media appearances for a variety of reasons, recently saying, “I feel I have earned the right to do what I want.”
Fleetwood’s participation on Sunday didn’t go unnoticed among golf media. Kyle Porter, a former CBS Sports golf analyst and founder of the Normal Sport newsletter said, “If Tommy can talk after that, then I think anyone can talk after pretty much any tournament.”
If Tommy can talk after that, then I think anyone can talk after pretty much any tournament.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) June 22, 2025
Michael McEwan of Bunkered said, “So much respect for Tommy Fleetwood speaking on TV after an utterly gut-wrenching loss. Absolute class in the face of professional devastation. Magnanimity personified.”
So much respect for Tommy Fleetwood speaking on TV after an utterly gut-wrenching loss. Absolute class in the face of professional devastation. Magnanimity personified.
God, I’d love to see him lift the Claret Jug next month.
— Michael McEwan (@MMcEwanGolf) June 22, 2025
It’s participation in moments like these that humanize athletes. PGA Tour golfers are under no obligation to speak with the media. But fans appreciate vulnerability. Fans can relate to the agony of defeat. This loss, and Fleetwood’s response to it, will only make him more endeared to fans. His decision to give an interview so shortly after is commendable. If anyone had an excuse to sit this one out, it was him.