Tommy Fleetwood's pursuit of a maiden PGA Tour victory ended in crushing disappointment at the Travelers Championship, where the Englishman squandered a three-shot advantage with just four holes remaining.
The 34-year-old from Southport had positioned himself perfectly for a breakthrough win after 159 winless starts on the American circuit.
Leading by three strokes with only four holes to play, Fleetwood appeared destined to finally shed the unwanted distinction of being one of the tour's most accomplished players without a victory.
Instead, a dramatic collapse over the closing stretch saw him surrender his commanding position.
Tommy Fleetwood led by three strokes with only four holes to play
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Keegan Bradley capitalised on Fleetwood's misfortune, mounting a stirring comeback to claim the title with a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole.
The drama reached its crescendo on the 18th hole, where Fleetwood's hopes were cruelly dashed by misfortune.
Needing to two-putt from 50 feet to force a playoff, his par attempt appeared to strike a ball mark on the green, causing the ball to veer right and miss the hole.
"That's just unbelievably bad luck," one spectator observed, whilst another noted the "£1.9million ball mark" that cost Fleetwood dearly.
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Tommy Fleetwood cut a dejected figure after missing out on his first title
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Bradley, meanwhile, demonstrated championship mettle by converting a six-foot birdie putt to complete a two-shot swing on the final hole.
"Of all the shots and all the putts I hit, I think I'm going to remember that one the most," Bradley said of his tournament-winning stroke.
The Connecticut galleries erupted as their fellow New Englander secured victory.
Fleetwood's anguish was palpable in his post-match comments: "I'm gutted right now. Leading by two with three to play. Leading by one going into the last and you don't even make it to a play-off.
"It's the worst way it could go."
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The normally composed Fleetwood didn't hide his emotions, acknowledging he was "upset" and "angry" after the devastating finish.
"I would love to just go and sulk somewhere and maybe I will do," the Englishman admitted.
"When I calm down, I will look at the things I did well and the things I can learn from now."
Fleetwood's latest heartbreak extends a remarkable yet frustrating record on the PGA Tour.
Since his first start at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in 2013, the Englishman has amassed 42 top-10 finishes without a single victory.
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Keegan Bradley has won 8 PGA Tour titles
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This places him atop an unwanted list in the tour's modern era, holding the record by a considerable margin.
Brett Quigley sits second with 34 top-10s without a win.
The Travelers Championship marked Fleetwood's 159th start on the PGA Tour, with six runner-up finishes amongst his near-misses.
His consistency and quality have never been in question, making his inability to close out tournaments all the more perplexing and frustrating, from his perspective.
The £2.7 million winner's cheque that slipped through his fingers at TPC River Highlands only adds to the mounting frustration.
His next opportunity arrives at the Genesis Scottish Open from 9-13 July, followed by the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
"Search goes on," Fleetwood said. "When it happens it will be very, very sweet."
The Ryder Cup stalwart, who had been amongst the well-wishers when Rory McIlroy ended his Masters drought in April, knows the weight of prolonged winless streaks.
His determination remains undimmed despite Sunday's setback.
"I obviously played great, I put myself in a great position. I just want to make sure that I can put myself in this position as soon as possible again and try and correct what I did this time," Fleetwood reflected.
For now, British golf must wait a little longer for Fleetwood's American breakthrough.
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