‘It would be beautiful’ – Tommy Fleetwood not giving up hopes of winning Race to Dubai
Tommy Fleetwood believes it would be “beautiful” to win the Race to Dubai for a second time after putting himself in contention with a surprise victory in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City.
The Englishman’s first win since January 2018 came after he beat Marcus Kinhult at the first extra hole in a play-off at the Gary Player Country Club, earning him a cheque of 2.5million US dollars (£1.93m), the largest on the European Tour.
Fleetwood is now second in the Race to Dubai standings, behind Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger, going into the final event that starts on Thursday, the DP World Tour Championships at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
After winning the Race to Dubai in 2017, asked about the prospect of triumphing again, Fleetwood said: “It would be beautiful, wouldn’t it. It would be amazing.
“It’s such a great, great thing and a feeling to be playing with a chance to win the Race to Dubai in the last event.
“Everybody starts the Tour at the start of the season to get there, so to be one of the guys that can actually finish at the top is very special.”
Fleetwood went into the final round in Sun City seemingly out of contention as he trailed overnight leader Zander Lombard by six shots on five under.
But while Fleetwood’s closing 65 included a remarkable three eagles and four birdies, as well as three bogeys, South African Lombard fired a miserable 77 that included a double bogey and four other bogeys, dropping him to six under.
Wiesberger, who could have won the Race to Dubai a week early with a victory, eventually tied for third on eight under alongside Belgium’s Thomas Detry and Australian Jason Scrivener.
A 68 from Kinhult saw him finish level on 12 under with Fleetwood and force the play-off, which Fleetwood won with a par at the 18th, while the Swede bogeyed.
“Winning honestly wasn’t on the agenda at the start of the day, probably not,” added Fleetwood.
“It was just about putting a good round together and moving on to next week. But it (winning) feels good. Emotional. It has been a long time coming, and I’m not one to complain, but I really did want to win something.”
GOLF365 is now on Instagram, don’t forget to check us our for more golf news, reviews and satire – CLICK RIGHT HERE! You can follow us on Twitter too.
Latest
-
GolfTiger Woods to return to competitive action at next week’s Memorial Tournament
The 44-year-old’s last appearance on the PGA Tour was in mid-February.
-
UKPadraig Harrington: Postponing Ryder Cup until 2021 is correct decision
The biennial match between the United States and Europe will now take place in September 2021 at Whistling Straits.
-
UKRyder Cup captains support decision to postpone 2020 event
Organisers hope to stage the event in September 2021.
-
UK2020 Ryder Cup postponed for 12 months
It means the competition will now take place in 2021 and every two years thereafter.
-
GolfMatthew Fitpatrick admits boost as ‘Bones’ takes the bag
The five-time European Tour winner has yet to register a victory in the United States.
-
ScotlandWomen’s British Open to be played behind closed doors at Royal Troon in August
The event at Royal Troon from August 20-23 will now be the first women’s major of the year following the cancellation of the Evian Championship.
-
GolfBryson DeChambeau: ‘I wanted to show people you can achieve amazing things’
Bryson DeChambeau hopes his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday has answered his critics.
-
GolfBryson DeChambeau wins sixth PGA Tour title at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Overnight leader Matthew Wolff was not able to recover from a poor start.
-
GolfAmerican Matthew Wolff claims three-shot lead at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Americans Ryan Armour and Bryson DeChambeau sit in second place.
-
GolfMatt Wallace rebounds with strong opening in Detroit
The Englishman carded a 66 to put behind him the disappointment of playing alone and missing the cut last week.