Fleetwood, Cantlay Share East Lake Lead With FedEx Cup Within Reach

By admin — In News — August 13, 2026

   ​Photo Credit: Imagn Images.ATLANTA — Tommy Fleetwood has spent years getting close. Patrick Cantlay has spent the last three years trying to get back.On Saturday at East Lake, both found themselves exactly where they wanted to be.Fleetwood and Cantlay will enter Sunday’s final round of the TOUR Championship tied at 16-under 194, setting up a compelling finish to the PGA TOUR season and a chance for either player to claim the FedExCup. Fleetwood shot a 3-under 67, while Cantlay surged with a 6-under 64.For Fleetwood, the stakes are obvious. He is still searching for his first PGA TOUR victory, despite an international résumé that includes eight wins and a long list of near-misses on the American circuit. He has finished inside the top five 30 times in PGA TOUR competition without winning.That makes Sunday considerably more than another final round.It is another chance to finally get over the line.Fleetwood’s Saturday looked as if it might take that opportunity away.After reaching 17-under, he found the water on the par-3 15th and made a double bogey. It was the sort of mistake that has fueled the familiar Fleetwood narrative over the years: close again, but perhaps not quite there.He answered immediately.Fleetwood made an 11-foot birdie putt on No. 16 and followed it with another birdie from 9 feet on No. 17. He regained the lead before Cantlay’s closing charge ultimately brought the two together.That response may have been as important as anything Fleetwood did earlier in the week.He did not let one bad hole become a bad round.Cantlay Finds His FinishCantlay, meanwhile, put together one of the best closing stretches of the week.He birdied four of his final five holes, including Nos. 16, 17 and 18, to turn a round that was already strong into a 64 and erase Fleetwood’s advantage.It was exactly the type of finish Cantlay needed.The 2021 FedExCup champion has not won since the 2022 BMW Championship, but he has remained one of the game’s most accomplished players. His 64 moved him into position to win the FedExCup for the second time and provided a chance to end a three-year drought on the biggest possible stage.“It’s nice to close the way I did, especially the last two days,” Cantlay said. “I’m pleased with where I’m at.”There is plenty to like about Cantlay’s position.He has been particularly good from tee to green this week, and the putter — an area that has frustrated him throughout the season — finally cooperated Saturday. PGA TOUR’s analysis noted that Cantlay was gaining more than three strokes on the greens through three rounds, a significant departure from his season-long putting numbers.If that continues Sunday, Fleetwood will have plenty of work to do.Henley Still Has a SayRussell Henley isn’t going anywhere, either.The Georgia native opened the tournament with a spectacular 61 and shared the 36-hole lead with Fleetwood. He shot 69 on Saturday and finished at 14-under, just two shots behind the leaders  

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