Fleetwood keeps up pace in HK Open

HONG KONG: Tommy Fleetwood European Tour defense Thursday with a pin-point birdie to keep the pressure on early pacesetters in testing conditions at the Hong Kong Open.

The Englishman, playing in a group with compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick and defending tournament champion Sam Brazel, hit an iron shot from 106 yards out to within inches of the hole to card a two- under- par round opening event.

“It was a tough day— it was Baltic this morning. Once you get said Fleetwood.

“I’m glad I birdied the last hole really, which made me feel a bit better. I played really nice, I felt comfy out there and hit a lot of

Fitzpatrick fared even better on a windy morning, hitting six the par- 70 course, one behind lunchtime clubhouse leader SSP Chawrasia of India.

“We had the crowd following Tommy just seeing as how he won said Fitzpatrick.

“It’s always good to play with Tommy, I played with him when I

“No offence to him but I’ve played with him a few times be he joked.

Fitzpatrick fought back from some tricky positions, recovering from next to a path off the shot leaving him a simple tap-in for birdie.

Fleetwood sealed victory in the 2017 Race to Dubai on Sunday, pipping Justin Rose to the European Tour crown.

Rose and Masters champion Sergio Garcia are among the after at the Hong Kong Golf Club.