NEW DELHI – Tommy Fleetwood continues his excellent season finale by taking the lead at the Indian DP World Championship. With an impressive round of 64 strokes, eight under par, Fleetwood leads by one stroke at the halfway point of the tournament. In the last two months, Fleetwood has achieved a remarkable victory at the Tour Championship, obtaining his first PGA Tour title and taking home 10 million dollars as FedEx Cup champion. In addition, he was the top scorer in points at the Ryder Cup, where the European team retained the title. Currently ranked number 5 in the world, the English golfer leads what could be the most prestigious golf tournament held in India. His impeccable second round, with eight birdies and no bogeys, brought him to a total of 12 under par for the week. Fleetwood’s final birdie, from eight feet on the 9th hole, put him ahead of Shane Lowry and Brian Harman, both former Open champions, who share second place.
Fleetwood described the course as a “unique challenge” and added: “I haven’t used anything more than a 5-wood. It’s a test of patience… If you hit well off the tee, you’ll have short irons and wedges, and you feel like you can always make a mistake. It’s a waiting game.” Ben Griffin, a Ryder Cup rookie, is three strokes back, tied for seventh place at 8 under par. Rory McIlroy, who again chose not to use his driver, had consecutive bogeys at the start of his second round, but reacted with birdies on four of the last six holes, completing a second consecutive round of 69 strokes. He is at 6 under par, along with Viktor Hovland. Upon leaving the 18th hole at the Delhi Golf Club, McIlroy, world number 2, took off his cap and greeted Sachin Tendulkar, Indian cricket legend and special guest of the tournament, at the back of the green.The course at the Delhi Golf Club, with its narrow fairways and trees, is a unique challenge for all of us.
Tommy Fleetwood
It was a strong finish, I got back into the tournament. I need a good start tomorrow.
Rory McIlroy
When asked if he would change his strategy from the tee to be more aggressive and catch up to Fleetwood, McIlroy replied: “I don’t think so. If I’m having trouble hitting the fairways with my 2-iron, I’m not going to use the driver. Same strategy. I just have to get a little closer with my second shots and not miss so many putts”.
