Tommy Fleetwood’s exceptional reference to Abu Dhabi reveals no indicators of fading, because the Englishman produced one other glowing spherical on Friday.
Fleetwood, a two-time winner of the occasion, continued his advantageous type with a six-under-par 66, maintaining himself firmly in rivalry heading into the weekend. The 34-year-old received off to a blistering begin with three consecutive birdies and by no means seemed again.
“It was a very good day,” Fleetwood stated afterward. “I received off to the proper begin — birdie, birdie, birdie — and that’s at all times vital, particularly after a very good around the day earlier than. They are saying it’s onerous to observe a low one with one other, so beginning sturdy actually helped.”
Fleetwood credited his sharp quick recreation and sensible course administration for sustaining momentum, notably when confronted with tough lies within the tough. “We learn the lies very well,” he defined. “Controlling the ball out of the tough was actually pleasing, and I putted stable once more. Six-under was an excellent rating.”
Regardless of his composed play, Fleetwood dismissed any notion that he’s on “autopilot.”
“Under no circumstances,” he stated. “This course nonetheless assessments you. Scores have been low, and if you wish to be up there on Sunday, it’s a must to be relentless — preserve hitting good pictures, preserve scoring. I’m doing a number of issues properly, however I understand how rapidly the sport can flip. I’ll simply keep centered and preserve doing the precise issues.”
Fleetwood, who’s ending one other lengthy season, believes his present type is a product of studying from the sport’s greatest.
“In my early years on tour, I’d attain these late-season occasions feeling drained and disillusioned,” he stated. “I observed the highest gamers had been nonetheless competing onerous, nonetheless motivated proper to the tip. That’s what I wished to emulate.”
Now, with only a handful of rounds left within the 12 months, Fleetwood stays pushed. “I’m nonetheless actually motivated,” he added. “I need to play properly and end sturdy. Hopefully I can put one other good spherical collectively tomorrow, compete on Sunday, and carry that into subsequent week earlier than switching off for a well-earned break.”
Fleetwood’s dedication — and his ongoing love affair with Abu Dhabi — suggests he’ll be a significant factor as soon as once more because the championship heads into the decisive weekend.
