Rose, Fleetwood set up thrilling Race to Dubai finale

European Tour
  • November 18, 2017

Justin Rose has everything to play for as he heads into the final round of the DP World Tour Championship with a one-stroke lead.

The Englishman signed for a flawless seven-under 65 at Jumeirah Golf Estates course on Saturday, moving him to 15 under for the tournament, one stroke ahead of rising star Jon Rahm and South African Dylan Frittelli.

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It was a day perfect for low scoring in Dubai, with very little wind and kind pin positions as no less than eight players posted 65 or less.

Rose was superb, rolling in seven birdies, including a 36-foot putt on the par four 16th that earned him the outright lead.

The former US Open champ will win the Race to Dubai and be crowned Europe’s No 1 if he claims the silverware on Sunday, but Race to Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood is still right in the hunt, just two shots off the lead after a second consecutive 65 moved him to level-fourth with Dean Burmester.

Rose has been in superb form for the past few weeks, claiming consecutive Tour victories to move into contention for the top prize, but Fleetwood is refusing to give up the fight.

“I know what I need to do to stay at the top of the leaderboard,” Rose said.

“But if I slip up tomorrow, he’s right there. He’s done everything he needs to do on his end, so it’s a lot of fun.

“An opportunity, that’s the way I’m going to look at it. Don’t see much pressure on myself tomorrow. This is going to be a day just to go for it really and play well.

“There’s going to be a lot of good players and it’s going to be a day where you have to play good golf.”

Fleetwood was only one under through his first nine holes on Saturday, but finished like a house of fire with six birdies after the turn – including five in his last six holes – to prevent Rose from getting out of reach.

“It’s massive, it really is,” said the 26-year-old.

“But above all, whether I win it or not or whether Justin wins it, one of us will have deserved it.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure trying to win a Race to Dubai, coming down these last few events and especially this week, now. The week could have gone not quite how you wanted it, not being in contention or anything. So last day of the season and I’ve got a chance to win the Race to Dubai, it’s cool.

“It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever tried to achieve. I was in contention in the US Open and Mexico but they were one or two rounds. This has been all year and you come down to the final event.”

Fritelli would enjoy a birdie-birdie-birdie start and then sprinted home with four more birdies in his last five holes to card a sizzling nine under 63, while Rahm posted a 65.

Sergio Garcia earned his lowest round of the week, a five under 67, then moved him to ten under. The Spaniard still has an outside chance of capturing the Race to Dubai title himself, should he post an incredible round and Rose and Fleetwood slip up.

DP Word Tour Championship European Tour Justin Rose Tommy Fleetwood

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