Tommy Fleetwood showed true colours with gesture seconds after $10million putt

There was a roar of celebratory relief on the 18th green at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, but it was not Tommy Fleetwood’s first reaction after tapping in the tiddler that gave him his first triumph on the PGA Tour.

No, after holing the putt that ended one of sport’s talked-about winless runs - and earned him a cool ten million bucks - Fleetwood instantly removed his cap and shook the hand of playing partner Patrick Cantlay, no doubt thanking him for his company over the final round of the Tour Championship.

Yes, it is what all golfers do but Fleetwood would have been excused for getting carried away in the moment. After all, Fleetwood waited a long time for his first victory in the States.

But he has always been a class act. And Fleetwood was as dignified in success as he was after the most recent couple of near-misses.

That is why he is one of sport’s most likeable characters. Twice in the past nine weeks, Fleetwood has fronted up after letting two-shot leads slip in the final three holes of big tournaments.

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And during that time, he has to put up with swathes of derogatory comments on social media and some on mainstream media. We all read online idiots labelling one of the world’s most accomplished players a ‘choker’.

After winning by a handsome three shots in a field consisting of the 30 best players on the PGA Tour, Fleetwood could have hit back at those who have criticised him. After all, he is now number six in the world and has amassed the best part of £40million in prize money during his career.

But Fleetwood was humble, understated and spoke about “consistently striving to be better against these amazing players you strive to beat.” Well, he is one of those amazing players. At the Tour Championship, he was four shots ahead of world number one Scottie Scheffler and 12 clear of Rory McIlroy.

“I am proud of what I have done before, whether I won or not, and this does not change that,” he also said. Maybe not.

But it will surely change the perception of Fleetwood going into the Ryder Cup in New York at the end of September. His record against the Americans is already very decent, having won seven matches, lost three and halved two.

In foursomes, he has won four out of four and has won two out of five fourball matches, halving one and losing two. In singles, he has won one, lost one and halved one.

And don’t forget, Fleetwood registered the point that clinched matters in Rome last time around. But captain Luke Donald will be delighted Fleetwood, who will be competing in his fourth Ryder Cup, is going into the showdown at Bethpage Black as the FedEx Cup winner.

There is now not an opponent who will take Fleetwood lightly. The next step in 34-year-old Fleetwood’s individual career is to get that first Major on the board. Second places at the 2019 Open and at the 2018 US Open remain his best Major finishes.

But his immediate priority will be to help Europe retain the Ryder Cup in the bearpit that will be Bethpage Black. And with this win behind him, Fleetwood is now one of the Europeans who will lead from the front.