Golf can be brutal, and Tommy Fleetwood felt every bit of it on Sunday at the Travelers Championship.The 34-year-old Englishman, chasing his first PGA Tour win, stood in the 18th fairway with a one-shot lead. But he left his approach woefully short and three-putted for bogey, opening the door for Keegan Bradley.Bradley hit a clutch approach to inside six feet and sank the walk-off, winning birdie putt.Fleetwood, who had led for most of the final round, was left stunned. "I'm upset now. I'm gutted. I'm angry," he said afterward. "When it calms down, I'll look at the things I did well... but there are things I have to do better."While many praised Fleetwood's grace in facing the media after such a crushing loss, Rory McIlroy's attempt to show support took an awkward turn.Speaking to reporters shortly after the final round, McIlroy said, "Tommy's been a great player for a long time."But what followed made it sound like McIlroy believed Fleetwood had actually won. "He's more than due—or he was more than due. He's got so much talent and ability, and obviously it's great to see him get over the line."The comment, likely made before Fleetwood's final-hole bogey, quickly circulated online as a classic case of speaking too soon.If Fleetwood sees the clip, he'll no doubt appreciate the praise from one of golf's biggest names. But the sting of falling short, again, at a $20 million signature event will linger.McIlroy and Fleetwood share a close bond. They've been Ryder Cup teammates multiple times, including Europe's dominant win in Rome in 2023.Their chemistry was on full display during foursomes and fourballs, and they've often been seen practicing together at majors.Just this week, the two unintentionally wore matching Nike outfits during Sunday's final round at TPC River Highlands that drew laughs from fans.Despite the heartbreak, Fleetwood's performance was full of brilliance. He made three eagles and 14 birdies across four rounds, including a Saturday 63 that vaulted him into the lead.And while the win slipped away, his post-round composure didn't. "Right now I'd love to go sulk somewhere," he admitted. "But there's no point making it a negative. Take the positives and move on."That attitude stood in contrast to McIlroy's own recent media absences. After his U.S. Open collapse at Pinehurst, McIlroy skipped interviews entirely.More Golf: LPGA Winner in Spotlight After Absurd Tick Bites From Erin Hills