The Englishman endured a tumultuous round at TPC Southwind on Saturday, signing for a one-under 69, enough for a one-stroke lead over fellow countryman Justin Rose. The indomitable Scottie Scheffler lurks two shots back.
After a birdie on the second, Fleetwood was in the drink on the par-five third. His second shot came up short and into the water. Fleetwood took his penalty drop, and then hit a wedge over the green into a bunker. He would eventually sign for a double bogey seven.
Four birdies and two bogeys later, Fleetwood had his overnight four-stroke lead reduced to just one.
With 42 top-10 finishes, 28 top-5 finishes, 11 top-3 finishes and two Ryder Cup titles, Fleetwood is arguably golf's most storied player to never taste victory on the PGA Tour.
"It's just another opportunity for me to go out and try and have the best round of golf I can, enjoy being in that position," Fleetwood told AP.
"The more I put myself there, the more chance there is of it happening, and just go out and keep learning from every experience. But tomorrow might be my day, it might not, but being there is the most important thing, and I'll continue to try and do that."
Meanwhile, Rose's 67 put him in the final group and Scheffler was on the charge with five birdies for his 65.
Akshay Bhatia stormed home with four birdies in his last three holes to card an eight-under-par 62 on Thursday, taking a one-shot lead after the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Rory McIlroy has elected to skip this week's FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, but his chances of being crowned FedEx Cup champion won't be affected.
2025 Champion Golfer of the Year Scottie Scheffler may not consider golf the number one thing in life, but he's laughing all the way to the bank.
After securing his fourth major title with a commanding win at the 2025 Open Championship, Scottie Scheffler was once again faced with comparisons to Tiger Woods - but the World No 1 was quick to play down any parallels.
