Tommy Fleetwood delivered one of his best rounds of the season on Friday at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship. He shot a blistering 64 in the second round, giving him a four-shot lead heading into the weekend in a performance built on his hot putter and razor-sharp iron play.
Fleetwood Steps Up Another Gear After Opening 66
Fleetwood began the day already in a strong position after an opening 66, but from his first swing on Friday, it was obvious he had found another gear. He started steadily, hitting fairways and setting up comfortable approaches. On the third hole, a crisp wedge left him just five feet from the cup, and he rolled in the birdie with complete confidence. Another birdie followed at the fourth, again thanks to a pinpoint iron shot that gave him a simple look.
The Englishman’s precision irons kept him in control of the round throughout the front nine. He found the ideal spots on the greens, whether attacking pins or playing to safe zones. His TaylorMade P7TW blades allowed him to shape shots and control spin, leaving putts from makeable ranges rather than scrambling for par. By the turn, he was already four under for the day.
The back nine showed why Fleetwood’s putter has been one of the hottest in the tournament. On the 12th, he drained a 20-footer for birdie, his ball rolling in with perfect pace. Another laser-accurate approach left him just inches away at the 14th, and he tapped in for yet another birdie. He then struck a six-footer for par on the 15th with the same conviction as his birdie tries. Even when he found himself out of position, a smart chip and confident six-foot par putt on the 15th kept the momentum going.
Fleetwood In Pole Position
Fleetwood closed strong with a birdie on the 17th, sending a clear signal to the rest of the field. He signed for a 64, eight-under-par for the round, and moved to a commanding four-shot lead. Fleetwood’s run of form comes at a perfect time. The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs, and a win here would not only give Fleetwood a huge boost in the points race but also put him in a strong position for the remaining playoff events.
The 34-year-old’s main challengers will need to find something special over the weekend to catch him. Several players are four shots behind him, including major champions and Tour winners, but none matched Fleetwood’s mix of accuracy and scoring on Friday.
What’s making the difference for Fleetwood this week is his complete game. The 34-year-old has been finding fairways off the tee with his irons and placing the ball in the right spots.
Main Photo Credit: © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
