Tommy Fleetwood said he was keen to take positives from an encouraging week in Scotland after losing out to Aaron Rai in a play-off at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
The two-time Rolex Series winner, who had birdied the final hole on Sunday to earn his way into a play-off against clubhouse leader Rai, was unable to save par on the first trip back up the 18th.
It was a day where Fleetwood impressed from tee-to-green but was unable to convert a number of chances with the putter.
Despite acknowledging that he struggled on the greens, Fleetwood was still keen to take the positives from another strong finish to a Rolex Series event.
“It's been a really good week,” he said after his round.
“I played really, really well today, especially on the back nine. At the end of the day, I holed that one in the last to get in the playoff but putting cost me overall throughout week. Yeah, summed it up with I just pulled a straight putt on the last.
“Obviously I'd have loved it to have been me, but overall, looking back at the week, there's so many putts that probably cost me being further in the tournament but that's golf. There's a lot of asset in the game that you have to do well to win, and you know, yeah, one putt on 18 on the 72nd hole, putting cost me at the end. But that's life and try again next week.
“It's disappointing. Of course, you always look at the positives, but messed up on the first playoff hole and that's that. It's Aaron's time, Aaron's week. He played great last week. You know, worthy winner.”
Fleetwood, who birdied the final hole in testing conditions during the third round to earn a place in the final group, dropped a shot on the opening hole of Sunday's round but quickly recovered with a birdie at the fifth to move into contention.
After making the turn in level par, Fleetwood posted back-to-back gains at the 10th and 11th holes, before making a birdie at 15 to get to within one shot of Rai - who had posted the clubhouse lead at 11 under par.
A brilliant approach to the 18th set up a final hole birdie that secured his place in the play-off, while playing partner Robert Rock dropped out of the lead with a bogey.
"I played really, really good, especially the back nine today, felt really in control of my game, and you know, end of the day, finish second - nobody beat me over 72 holes and like I say, it was Aaron's time and that's how it goes."
Fleetwood, who was making just his second regular European Tour start following the break in the schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, admitted that he initially struggled after resuming his season on the PGA our in July.
However, he returned to the European Tour with a tied third finish at the Portugal Masters prior to the U.S. Open, and said that his latest performance in Scotland is another positive step for his game.
“I struggled with my game really coming back after COVID and when playing in America and stuff, and today was in full control. Didn't miss a shot from 8 and 9 onwards, and I had a bunch of chances, really.
“But felt like I played really, really well this week and yeah, one putt, missed it in the playoff, but there's plenty more. It's just golf. Still have to work on my putting a bit more and hopefully improve that for the next time I play.
“The way I played this week, played really well in Portugal and then not so good at the U.S. Open but clearly my game is coming back. I said that at the start of the week. Everything I've been working on has been really good and felt more like the player that I feel like I should be, really, for a lot of this week, and yeah, tighten things up and hopefully my time's coming.”
