Tommy Fleetwood ended his long wait for a first PGA TOUR title with an emotional victory at the TOUR Championship to claim the FedEx Cup.
The Englishman, who was making his 164th start on the American-based circuit, put the memories of a host of near-misses behind him in style at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
Holding a share of the 54-hole lead alongside Patrick Cantlay, Fleetwood carded a closing two-under-par 68 for a three-shot victory over American pair Cantlay and Russell Henley.
After tapping in for par at the 18th to seal the success, relief was clear to see as he took the acclaim from a crowd chanting his name before celebrating with his long-time caddie Ian Finnis and his eldest stepson Oscar.
“When you've lost it so many times, a three-shot lead down the last doesn't seem so many," said a tearful Fleetwood.
“[The fans] are amazing, it makes me a bit emotional. I'm so lucky with the support I get - it's so special and I hope everyone knows how grateful I am for it."
With the victory at the season-ending event, Fleetwood also claims the $10 million prize for winning the FedEx Cup. Across the three events that make the FedEx Cup Playoffs, he was a combined 43 under par for his 12 tournament rounds.
He becomes the second Englishman to win the FedEx Cup after Justin Rose in 2018, with his Team Europe Ryder Cup team-mate among those watching on greenside.
Fleetwood suffered despair as recently as earlier this month, falling short with a weak finish at FedEx St Jude Championship - the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs - as Rose won a play-off against U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun.
That followed on from heartbreak at the Travellers Championship in June, when he was unable to capitalise on a two-shot lead with three holes to play as Keegan Bradley sealed a one-shot win with a final-hole birdie.
But there was to be no repeat this time around, opening up a four-shot lead through the opening two holes on this championship Sunday after he birdied the second and playing partner Cantlay opened with a bogey and double bogey.
Three shots clear at the turn, his advantage was briefly cut to one when he made a bogey at the tenth and Cantlay made birdie.
But back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th saw Fleetwood regain his control, before he suffered a bogey at the par-three 14th.
But while that could easily have prompted doubts, he maintained his composure to par his final three holes to close out a deserved victory.
“You just keep learning, this one, Travelers, Memphis and plenty before,” Fleetwood added.
“This wasn't the most comfortable I've been, I've had a great attitude throughout it all, I was a bit erratic at times, but I was really proud of how I found my swing again on the 11th hole."
