Tommy Fleetwood impressed with improved putting display in Dubai
Friday 17 November 2017 12:29, UK
Tommy Fleetwood benefited from a late-evening putting practice session as he moved back into contention at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
The Race to Dubai leader holds a 256,738-point advantage in the standings but struggled to a one-over 73 on Thursday, giving Justin Rose the initiative in the battle to become European No 1.
Fleetwood struggled on the greens during the opening round but bounced back with a birdie-filled 65 on Friday, bolstering his hopes of holding on to his lead over Rose in the points list.
"I worked on my putting until dark last night," Fleetwood said. "Although I actually made some decent putts (on Thursday), that was something that I wanted to work on.
"You're always disappointed when you don't shoot a good score, but I still didn't count myself out of the tournament at all.
"If I had shot the same score today, then I would, but luckily I got a good score today. So there's still a tournament to play for and there's still a Race to Dubai to play for.
"There are two things going on and you've just got to concentrate on one, which is kind of each day as it comes and try and do your best in the tournament. But I needed a low one today both purposes."
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Fleetwood birdied four of the first six holes but bogeyed the par-five next, before following back-to-back gains from the 12th with two more along the closing stretch.
The three-time European Tour got to six under the tournament and within three of morning clubhouse leader Tyrrell Hatton, with Fleetwood finishing his round just before Rose got his underway.
"I don't know whether Justin will be bothered or not," Fleetwood said. "He is so strong mentally and he knows what he's doing. He's been in a lot of situations like this.
"This is my first time but I'm glad I've put my name up there. At least my name is somewhere now, rather than the wrong end of the leaderboard.
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"You still have to go out and shoot scores but he's in amazing form at the moment. I won't put it past him carrying it on and shooting another one."
Watch the DP World Tour Championship throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 7.30am.
