CROMWELL, Conn. — England's Tommy Fleetwood electrified the Travelers Championship on Friday with two eagles in a second-round 65, vaulting into a share of the lead alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and major champion Justin Thomas at TPC River Highlands.
Fleetwood, still chasing his first PGA Tour victory, delivered a masterclass in precision and clutch putting. His back-nine charge included a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 13th and a holed wedge from 106 yards for eagle on the par-4 15th—a shot he called "one of those moments where everything just clicks." The Englishman’s 7-under round left him at 12-under 128 through 36 holes.
Fleetwood’s Flawless Friday
Starting the day three strokes behind first-round leader Tom Kim, Fleetwood birdied two of his first five holes before the fireworks began. After a steady par save at the 12th, he attacked the 13th with a 3-wood to 30 feet and drained the putt. Two holes later, his wedge on the 296-yard 15th took one bounce and disappeared into the cup, sparking a roar from the crowd.
"I didn’t see it go in," Fleetwood admitted. "But the reaction told me everything. Those are the shots you dream of—especially when you’re in contention. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this comfortable with my game."
Key Moments from Fleetwood’s Round
- **Eagle on 13th**: 30-foot putt after a 275-yard 3-wood approach
- **Eagle on 15th**: Holed 106-yard wedge for a "2" on the par-4
- **Bogey-free round**: 13/14 fairways hit, 15/18 greens in regulation
- **Putting surge**: Gained +3.2 strokes on the greens Friday
Scheffler and Thomas Keep Pace
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, playing alongside Fleetwood, carded a 64 with six birdies, while Justin Thomas matched Fleetwood’s 65. Scheffler’s round included a 40-foot birdie putt at the 5th, while Thomas credited his resurgence to "finally seeing putts drop after months of frustration." The trio leads by one over Kim (69) and Akshay Bhatia (65).
Scheffler, seeking his sixth win of 2024, downplayed the significance of the crowded leaderboard: "It’s a stacked field, but I’m not worried about names. Just executing my shots and staying patient." Thomas, meanwhile, is chasing his first win since the 2022 PGA Championship.
Notable Moves and Misses
Defending champion Keegan Bradley shot 67 to sit four back, while Rory McIlroy (68) is five off the pace. Jordan Spieth narrowly made the cut (+1) after a 72, but big names like Max Homa (+2) and Collin Morikawa (+3) exited early. Morikawa’s missed cut—his first since January—snapped a streak of 16 consecutive weekends played.
The tournament also marked the PGA Tour debut of 15-year-old Miles Russell, who shot 72-74. Despite missing the cut, the amateur phenom called it "an unbelievable learning experience playing against the best in the world."
What’s Next for Fleetwood?
Fleetwood, a seven-time DP World Tour winner, has 10 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour without a victory. His closest call came at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, where he lost in a playoff. Now, with Scheffler and Thomas alongside him, Saturday’s pairing promises fireworks. "I’ve put myself in position again," Fleetwood said. "Now it’s about staying there."
Weather could play a factor, with afternoon thunderstorms forecast for the weekend. If the leaders maintain their form, Sunday may deliver a shootout reminiscent of the 2022 event, where Scheffler lost to Xander Schauffele in a final-round duel.
For Fleetwood, the stakes are clear: "Winning on the PGA Tour is the next step. I’ve had chances, and this is another one. It’s time to take it." With two eagles and a share of the lead, he’s positioned to rewrite his American resume.
