FLEETWOOD HOME & BRY ON THE 18TH

TOMMY FLEETWOOD booked a last-16 spot at the WGC-DELL Technologies Match Play with a thrilling 18th-hole win over Bryson Dechambeau yesterday.

The Englishman (above) stormed into a commanding lead of four up after seven holes against the US Open champion.

But he had to hold on to win on the last and finish top of his group as the big-hitting

American fought back.

Fleetwood, ranked 21, was one up on the tee of the par four last hole at Austin Country Club in Texas but drove into a ditch.

After hacking out, he then needed a stunning flop shot and a gutsy five-foot clutch putt to halve the hole in par to win the match and progress unbeaten.

The last-gasp win against world No.5 Dechambeau (right) ensured Fleetwood avoided a potential play-off with Antoine Rozner to get out of the group.

Fleetwood, who will face Dylan Frittelli of South Africa in the last 16 today, said: “At the last it was an unlikely par. It wasn’t looking great. Bryson missed his putt and I had a nice five-footer for the chance to go through, which is great.

“But it turned scrappy for a lot of the back nine. I didn’t keep my foot down and he started coming back.”

Fleetwood added the scalp of Dechambeau to his win over France’s Rozner and a half with South Korea’s Si Woo Kim.

The 30-year-old Merseysider missed the cut at The Players Championship and has struggled to hit top form in 2021, but says the momentum is building.

He said “It’s nice to get rounds under your belt. You never know how match play is going to go.

“There will be guys who play better than me for three days going home and I am going through.

“I have beaten a couple of really great players and I feel like I am doing the right things.”

Ian Poulter made it three wins out of three with victory over Lanto Griffin to finish top of group 11 ahead of Rory Mcilroy and Cameron Smith, who halved their match.