NEW DELHI – Tommy Fleetwood continues to demonstrate his excellent form as the season ends, with an impressive round of 64 strokes, eight under par, which gives him the lead in the DP World India Championship, halfway through the tournament. His Ryder Cup teammate, Rory McIlroy, struggled to stay in contention on Friday. In the last two months, Fleetwood has achieved a remarkable victory at the Tour Championship, securing his first PGA Tour title and a $10 million prize as FedEx Cup champion. Furthermore, he was the top points scorer at the Ryder Cup, where the European team retained the title. English, currently ranked number 5 in the world ranking, possibly leads the most prestigious golf tournament ever held in India, thanks to his eight error-free birdies in the second round, which brought him to a total of 12 under par for the week. Fleetwood’s final birdie, from 8 feet on his final hole, number 9, left him ahead of former Open champions Shane Lowry (69) and Brian Harman (65), who share second place.
Fleetwood commented that the course at Delhi Golf Club, with narrow, tree-lined fairways, represents a “unique challenge for all of us”.The course at the Delhi Golf Club, with its narrow fairways and trees, presents a unique challenge for all of us.
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 last nine holes, but reacted with birdies on four of the last six holes, achieving a second consecutive 69. He finished at 6 under par, along with Viktor Hovland (67), a 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 legendary Indian cricket player Sachin Tendulkar, special guest of the tournament, at the back of the green.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.
Tommy Fleetwood
When asked if he would change his strategy off the tee to be more aggressive during the weekend in his attempt to catch 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.” The same strategy. I just have to stick a little closer with my second shots and not miss so many putts.It was a strong finish, I got back into the tournament. I need a good start tomorrow.
Rory McIlroy
