WHAT A RANK DECISION
Tommy slams ‘unfair’ points return
TOMMY FLEETWOOD has dubbed the decision to dish out world ranking points on the PGA Tour before their European rivals resume “daft” and “unfair”.
The world No.10 returns to action today in a celebrity pro-am in the Paddy Power Golf Shootout.
The Englishman, along with fellow stars such as Spurs striker Harry Kane, will take on a series of skill challenges at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire.
It will mark the 29-year-old’s first competitive action since spending lockdown in his native north west of England with his wife and family.
He will not be Stateside next week when the PGA Tour resumes at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas after the coronavirus shutdown.
Quarantine headaches and travel logistics have put him off heading across the Atlantic until the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational in Tennessee at the end of next month.
But rivals in America could have played up to seven events before then.
And Fleetwood is unimpressed at rivals stealing a march on him and peers in the rankings as the European Tour does not resume until July 22 at the British Masters.
He said: “It is unfair. It is called the official world golf rankings but there is now only one Tour playing.
“I don’t think it makes any sense for there to be any ranking points at the moment – it seems daft.
“It disrespects European Tour members and other Tour members.
“It isn’t just about me because I have made a choice not to play in America.
“My view would still be the same regardless as it could have an effect at the end of the year and on the qualification processes for Majors.
“I’ll suffer less than potentially a lot of others. If I drop a couple of places in the world rankings I should get that back if I play well.
“Whereas someone who is around 50th could miss out on the Masters or other invites. It is a bigger difference there and could have nasty ramifications.”
His trademark flowing locks and beard are now even more distinctive after lockdown. The two-time Major runner-up has kept sharp on a putting green at home as well as a golf simulator.
On the day courses reopened in England last month he was carrying his own bag at Sandiway in Cheshire.
Now he hopes finally watching back the final round at The Open last year – where he carded a three-over 74 as Irishman Shane Lowry won by six – can help him end his Major quest.
This year’s Open has been cancelled but Fleetwood has eyes on the US PGA in August, the US Open in September then the Masters in November.
The European Ryder Cup ace said: “I was close and it hurt so much at Portrush. I left the course on a Saturday with a lifetime’s dream which was never fulfilled.
“I never wanted to watch it back but I finally did for motivation.
“What I took from it was how Shane looked and felt at such an amazing point in his career.”