NEW DELHI – Tommy Fleetwood continued his strong season on Friday by shooting an 8-under 64 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway mark of the DP World India Championship as his Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy battled to stay.
Over the past two months, Fleetwood won his first PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship, earning $10 million as FedEx Cup champion in the process and becoming Team Europe’s leading scorer at the Ryder Cup.
The Briton, who has now climbed to No. 5 in the world rankings, made eight birdies in a bogey-free second round to move to 12 under par for the week and lead what is perhaps the most prestigious golf tournament ever held in India.
Fleetwood’s final birdie, from 8 feet on the final nine, separated him from former British champions Shane Lawrie, 69, and Brian Harman, 65, who were tied for second.
Mr Fleetwood described the narrow, tree-lined Derry Golf Club course as “a unique challenge for all of us”.
“I’ve only ever hit a 5-wood,” he said. “This is a test of patience. … If you hit it well off the tee, you’re going to be using short irons and wedges, and (you) feel like there’s always a chance to make a mistake. It’s a game that I’m really looking forward to.”
Three strokes back, American rookie Ben Griffin, who played in the Ryder Cup, tied for seventh place at 8 under.
McIlroy again didn’t have his driver in the bag and suffered back-to-back bogeys early on the back nine, but fought back with birdies on four of his final six holes for his second straight 69. He is tied with fellow European team member Viktor Hovland (67) at 6 under par.
At the tree-lined Delhi Golf Club, McIlroy, who is ranked second in the rankings, took off his cap as he exited from No. 18 and shook hands with the tournament’s special guest, Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, at the back of the green.
“It was a strong finish and I feel like I’m back in the tournament. I need a strong start tomorrow,” McIlroy said.
Asked if he would change his strategy off the tee this weekend to be more aggressive in an effort to corner Fleetwood, McIlroy said: “I don’t think so. If you’re having trouble hitting the fairway with a 2-iron, I don’t think you’re going to hit it with a driver.”
“It’s the same strategy. You have to hit your second shot a little closer and try not to miss as many putts as possible.”
