What Tommy Fleetwood said was the real key to playing his best golf under pressure back in 2021

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Tommy Fleetwood is finally a PGA Tour winner after triumphing at the Tour Championship on Sunday, and boy, did he deserve it.

Fleetwood is a hugely popular figure the world over, and nigh on every single person involved with our great game was delighted to see him win the Tour Championship.

The Englishman well and truly got the PGA Tour monkey off his back with his victory at East Lake, after he put in one of the best performances of his career while under extreme pressure.

Fleetwood had the full support of the East Lake crowd on Sunday, with seemingly every fan inside the Atlanta property pulling for him.

There has seldom been anyone more deserving of a PGA Tour win than the 34-year-old from Southport, England.

Before his final round, Fleetwood said he had been delighted with his play at East Lake throughout the entire week.

And he finally got over the finishing line in style on day four.

What Tommy Fleetwood said was the key to playing his best golf under pressure

While Fleetwood has failed in pressure cooker environments in the past, it’s worth noting that before his first PGA Tour win, he had seven DP World Tour victories to his name.

And it cannot be forgotten just how clutch he has been throughout the years at the Ryder Cup, with seven wins, three losses and two halves in the 12 matches he has played.

So perhaps he is someone we should all look up to when it comes to performing well under pressure.

Fleetwood spoke with Golf Monthly back in 2021 about how he plays his best golf under pressure.

He said: “I think it comes from preparation. I have always been somebody that wants to get into those moments. While I’ve failed in those moments, I have succeeded in those moments as well.

“I have always been someone who wants to go in as prepared as possible, knowing that I’ve got the skills physically and mentally to cope with whatever situation there is.

“That to me, clutch moments come from the work behind the scenes, by leaving no stone unturned and knowing that when you walk into those situations you’re ready for it.

“With more success comes more pressure to perform, but you have to remember that’s what you want, that’s what you work for, that’s what you crave.

“I would much rather be in that position where there’s pressure to perform. That’s what we strive for and you always have to remember that.“

Those words ring really true right now, and Fleetwood will wake up this morning a man confident in his ability to go on and win many more of the biggest golf tournaments in the world.

Rich Beem makes Tommy Fleetwood prediction after Tour Championship win

After Fleetwood won at East Lake on Sunday, Beem was visibly delighted.

They are very good friends, having played alongside each other on the DP World Tour more than a decade ago.

And Beem made a prediction regarding what will happen to Fleetwood now after he finally got his first PGA Tour win.

The 2002 PGA Championship winner was asked if he expects him to win more regularly on the PGA Tour now.

He said: “A lot. I told him something back in 2012 when I was playing on the European Tour and I said something to him and I still believe it. I will keep that between him and me but I said something to him and I meant it.

“I think that with this victory I think it’s going to be a landslide to more of them. I think these are going to come fast and furious. He may not win all of them, but I think he is going to be in contention and be right in the mix.

“I think he is just getting started.“

The general consensus is that Fleetwood could well become a regular winner on the PGA Tour now.

He certainly possesses the skillset required to do so and he has now proven he has the mentality needed as well.