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Tommy Fleetwood looks for fast start at Nedbank Golf Challenge

By Sky Sports Golf

Wednesday 8 November 2017 18:12, UK

SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 08: Tommy Fleetwood of England in action during the pro am ahead of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player CC on Nove

Tommy Fleetwood is focused on avoiding another slow start to a tournament as he aims to secure Race to Dubai victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

The Englishman holds a 134,839-point advantage in the season-long standings over Justin Rose, who does not feature this week, meaning Fleetwood will increase his lead regardless of his finish in the no-cut event.

Victory would give Fleetwood an unassailable lead in the race to be European No 1, at a venue where he recovered from an opening-round 75 to finish tied-14th in last year's event.

SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 08: Tommy Fleetwood of England in action during the pro-am for the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player CC on November 0
Image: Fleetwood has won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Open de France this season

Fleetwood has not posted a sub-70 opening round since winning the Open de France in July, with the 26-year-old keen to end that run in his pursuit for a third victory of the season.

"I'd like to start tournaments off a little bit quicker," Fleetwood said. "The last couple I have played okay on Thursdays and not scored very well and then you're behind the eight ball.

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"I'd like to get off to a good start but if you don't, keep going and keep your head down.

"Aside from everything else that is going on, it's one of those tournaments that you'd love to win - I'd love to have my name on that path walking up the ninth hole (at the Gary Player Country Club)."

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 28: Tommy Fleetwood of England plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the WGC - HSBC Champions at Sheshan I
Image: Fleetwood has finished tied-20th and tied-23rd in his last two starts

Fleetwood held a commanding lead at the top of the Race to Dubai standings a few weeks to go, only for Sergio Garcia to win the Andalucia Valderrama Masters and Rose to close the gap further by registering back-to-back victories.

Rose was 10th in the money list before following WGC-HSBC Champions success with a play-off win in the Turkish Airlines Open, with Fleetwood impressed by the Olympic champion's recent run.

ANTALYA, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 02: Tommy Fleetwood of England hits his second shot on the 7th hole during the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open at the
Image: Fleetwood tees off alongside Rafa Cabrera Bello and Alex Noren

"Hats off to Rosey for the way he's played the last couple of weeks," Fleetwood said. "It's made it an interesting finish but I could make it a lot more boring this week if I have a good week.

"It's still kind of in my hands. I've got to keep concentrating on what I'm doing and I played nice last week. I went the last two rounds without a bogey but I didn't convert many of my birdie chances.

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"I'd like to win the tournament and it's at that stage where every shot counts."

Watch the Nedbank Golf Challenge throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 7am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.

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