Rory McIlroy caught on camera accidentally cursing Tommy Fleetwood before PGA Tour blunder

Rory McIlroy was caught on camera accidentally cursing Tommy Fleetwood a first PGA Tour title down the closing stetch at the Travelers Championship on Sunday.

McIlroy closed out his week with a solid 65 to finish tied sixth in the eighth and final $20m Signature Event of the PGA Tour season. 

After signing his card, McIlroy then spoke to several reporters off the back of the 18th green at TPC River Highlands.

At the time of McIlroy's interview with one particular reporter, Fleetwood was standing on the 18th tee tee with a one-shot lead over his playing partner Keegan Bradley.

McIlroy was pressed by the reporter in question to give his thoughts on what he made of his European Ryder Cup teammate Fleetwood being on the verge of a first PGA Tour title in his 159th start. 

The Northern Irishman felt Fleetwood had already done enough to finally win.

Scroll down to watch what McIlroy said... 

"Yeah, Tommy has been a great player for a long time, he's more than due, or he was more than due, and you know, he's got so much talent and so much ability, and obviously it's great to see him get over the line," replied an assured McIlroy. 

As it transpired five minutes later, Fleetwood three-jabbed from the front edge of the 18th green for a bogey, and Bradley would then win his second Travelers Championship in three years when converting a six-footer for birdie. 

Watch McIlroy's gaffe in the video below:

Fleetwood admitted to being angry, upset, hurt and gutted after throwing away his best chance to date to win a first PGA Tour title.

The popular Englishman had led by three shots entering the final round.

He was briefly caught around the turn but then pulled two shots ahead with three holes left.

We can only assume McIlroy thought Fleetwood still had that margin of lead as he headed down the par-4 18th. 

Fleetwood would ultimately bogey 16 and 18 to end up finishing in a tie for second with Russell Henley and one shot behind Bradley.

It was a 2-over 72 for Fleetwood on Sunday as he finished his week at 14-under par.

McIlroy's late 65 saw him to rally to finish T6 and just three shots behind Bradley. 

Nevertheless, despite the disappointment, it marked a fourth top-10 finish for Fleetwood in his last seven starts on the PGA Tour. 

It also pushed him up to 13th in the world rankings and to second behind McIlroy in the European Ryder Cup standings. 

Fleetwood wrote a motivational 15-word comment on his social media channels two days after his PGA Tour heartbreak. 

He's next in action at the Scottish Open, a week before The Open at Royal Portrush.

Fleetwood will carry good vibes into The Open not only since he's playing well at the moment but also because he finished second the last time The Open was held at Portrush in 2019.