How Rory McIlroy was crucial to Tommy Fleetwood’s first PGA Tour win ever

The victory was arguably one of the most satisfying to witness, reminiscent of his close friend Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph in April.

Fleetwood told Sky Sports that McIlroy’s comeback at Augusta National to claim the green jacket significantly boosted his own belief.

“The support that I get is off the charts, it’s unbelievable and I absolutely love it. I love the buzz that is out there when I’m in contention and that people have gathered into the momentum that I have been building and it being so close and it not happening. I love the support I have got and they have played a huge part.

“You know what people are thinking as well. You know there are two sides to it. The supportive side and the doubtful side, the negative expectation side.

“There is all that you have to deal with and I think I have drawn on many different things, lots of different supporters and friends and family. Like golfers too. him winning The Masters this year was a great show of resilience and mental strength and I drew on that.

“So you try and draw on things which are going to help. You stay in the moment and stay present but you know how the tournament is going on and you get a sense of things which are happening.

“Around that 15th I made bogey and it was fine. Ball on land was good! And then I think at that point I had a two shot lead. And it’s good you are playing with the guy who is nearest because you can see what is going on. And the iron shot into 16 was really, really good. I would have loved to have rolled the putt in.

“But you get a sense of where the tournament is going and even down those last three it just looked like it was finally opening up for me. It looked like this was the door you have to walk through now but you still don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself.

“And a three shot lead down the last, great tee shot, and I felt pretty good from there.”

Fleetwood focused on building momentum after Tour Championship win

After Rory McIlroy’s victory in April, there was plenty of talk about whether it would signal a fresh run of major wins, given the long gap since his last one. And now, similar questions are being asked about Fleetwood.

Plenty of people will be hoping he does not have to wait another 164 starts for a second PGA Tour title.

Fleetwood himself is confident that this could be just the beginning.

“There is a ton of feelings and I think it doesn’t sink in straight away. I have won plenty of tournaments before, I still don’t think I have won my fair share, but this one seems like it has taken a long time. The story has been building for so long.

“There is a lot of mixed emotions. Very proud of the qualities I have had to show in recent weeks to keep coming back, very relieved it’s done and I have got this first win and I can move on and hopefully win many more. I have always said that I don’t dream of winning one. I want to win multiple and plenty but to do that you have to win the first one.

“And also the story was great, wasn’t it!”