Fleetwood leads in India: McIlroy fights back, golf spectacle in Delhi

Tommy Fleetwood leads the DP World India Championship

Tommy Fleetwood continues his excellent season finale with an impressive round of 64 strokes, eight under par, securing a one-stroke lead at the halfway point of the DP World India Championship. His Ryder Cup teammate, Rory McIlroy, struggled to stay in contention on Friday. In the last two months, Fleetwood has achieved a 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, which was retained by the European team. Now, the English golfer, who has risen to number 5 in the world ranking, leads possibly the most prestigious golf tournament ever held in India. He achieved eight birdies in an impeccable second round, without bogeys, to reach a total of 12 under par for the week. Fleetwood’s final birdie, from 8 feet on his final hole (the 9th), gave him a lead over former Open champions Shane Lowry (69) and Brian Harman (65), who shared second place.

The course at the Delhi Golf Club, with its narrow, tree-lined fairways, is a unique challenge for all of us.

Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood commented that the course presents a “unique challenge for everyone”.

I haven’t used 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.

Tommy Fleetwood

Ben Griffin, a rookie on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, is three strokes back, tied for seventh place at 8 under par. McIlroy, who again chose not to use his driver, had consecutive bogeys at the beginning of his second round, but reacted with birdies on four of his last six holes, signing a second consecutive round of 69 strokes. He was at 6 under par, along with Viktor Hovland (67), another member of the European team. Upon leaving the 18th hole at the Delhi Golf Club, McIlroy, world number 2, took off his cap and shook hands with Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian cricket legend and a special guest of the tournament.

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 off the tee over the weekend to be more aggressive in his attempt to catch Fleetwood, McIlroy responded:

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 hit it a little closer with my second shots and not miss so many putts.

Rory McIlroy