Despite failing to close the deal when in position to win for the first time on the PGA Tour, Tommy Fleetwood is remaining positive.

The Englishman looked set to win last week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship before another late stumble led to more heartbreak for the 34-year-old. Despite the tough loss, Fleetwood said after his round:

“It was a great week. I did a ton of good stuff, and as disappointed as I am, I have to try to find the strength to make it all a positive experience and hopefully next time go again, put myself in that position again and we just go again.”

However, Fleetwood’s latest gut-wrenching finish on the tour has led one pro to shine the spotlight on the role of his caddie.

Speaking on the Chipping Forecast, multiple winner on the DP World Tour, Eddie Pepperell, claimed that “top, top caddies can make a difference of getting over the line,”  and questioned whether “a stronger, more experienced” with an “ultra winning mentality” would be able to help Fleetwood turn the near misses into wins.

“I need to be very careful what I say because I love Fino.

I think in the interest of fairness, however, because I was a bit critical of Harry Diamond at the US Open last year I think there’s room to make the suggestion that a stronger more experienced caddie with that ultra winning mentality would help Tommy Fleetwood.

And I say that, well I say that with experience in mind because I just remember what Mick Doran did to me when I won for the first time in Qatar. I drew on his confidence down the stretch and that is a big, big thing.”

Pepperell added:

“Look Fino, I’m sure, does add way more to Tommy than we could all imagine.

He’s close friends, always has been, but in the in the interest of winning a tournament and getting over the line are there people out there that could help Tommy do that?

I think there probably are and I would have said that about Harry Diamond and Rory a year ago and I, and I still think there’s some truth in that to be quite honest with you but I’m not saying that, you know, Fino should lose his job. I don’t want that to go out there or anything like this. That’s the problem when you criticise caddies.”

Pepperell also suggested that Fleetwood may add in some smaller events on the PGA Tour next year in order to help him get his first win.