Fleetwood piles pressure on Rose with Dubai surge

Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick claimed the halfway lead in the DP World Tour Championship yesterday after Tommy Fleetwood ensured the Race to Dubai battle would go down to the wire.

Fitzpatrick carded a second consecutive 67 at Jumeirah Golf Estates to reach 10 under par, a shot ahead of the man he beat into second place last year, English compatriot Tyrrell Hatton.

Justin Rose, who would overhaul Fleetwood with a remarkable third consecutive victory on Sunday, was a shot further back alongside Julian Suri and Kiradech Aphibarnrat after a costly three-putt bogey on the 18th.

And that meant Fleetwood had regained the upper hand – albeit by a narrow margin – in his bid to end the season as European No 1.

A superb 65 lifted him 35 places in the 60-man field and to within two shots of Rose on six under.

“Today was pressure in a different way,” said Fleetwood, who has a lead of 256,738 points over Rose.

“If I had shot level par or one under everything is completely out of my hands.

“I’ve kept myself in with a chance of the tournament but it’s only a big round if I keep it going. I don’t know whether Justin will be bothered or not.

“He is so strong mentally and he knows what he’s doing. He’s been in a lot of situations like this and this is my first time.”

Fleetwood finished his round just moments before Rose started his own and after four birdies and a bogey in his first 15 holes, the former US Open champion needed to birdie the 18th for a share of the lead.

However, Rose missed the green with his approach and three-putted following a poor chip to end the day on a disappointing note.

Fitzpatrick’s 67 included five birdies and an eagle and ensured he has not been outside the top eight after his last 10 rounds in the event.

Hatton was on course to equal or better Rose’s course record of 62 thanks to holing out from 144 yards on the fifth for an eagle and eight birdies, only to bogey the last.

The world number 17 did the same in the final round 12 months ago to lose out to Fitzpatrick.

David Drysdale is the top Scot with a second round 72 leaving him on one over par – 11 behind Fitzpatrick – while Scott Jamieson is three over after a 77 and Marc Warren, who carded a 76, one shot further back

Halfway leader Matt Fitzpatrick hits his second shot on the 17th.