DESERT DUEL IN THE SUN
Rose and Fleetwood battle it out to top Order of Merit
A GRANDSTAND finish to the season to rival any in European Tour history seems assured today as Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood slug it out over one more round for the prize title of the Race to Dubai.
Rose has already conducted one epic shoot-out for the ages this year against Sergio Garcia for the Masters and here he is embroiled in another against his fellow Englishman.
For the second day running Fleetwood threw a 65 at Rose as he continued his spectacular recovery from his opening score of 73. The difference on this occasion is Rose matched him stroke for stroke to lead the final event, the DP World Tour Championship, by one shot going into the last round — and, if he maintains that position he will win the Race to Dubai title (or the Order of Merit, as it was known) as well, not to mention a £2million pay day.
Fleetwood, however, will begin just two off the pace, so we are in for a day in the desert to truly savour.
The respect the pair have for one another was obvious as Rose was told his younger opponent had recovered from being one over after seven to post eight birdies in his last 11 holes.
‘Good for him, that’s unbelievable,’ said the 37-year-old, smiling. ‘It keeps it interesting. All week I’ve concentrated on my target of winning the event because that takes care of everything, but Tommy’s right there and doing all he needs to do as well if I slip up. Great, isn’t it?’
When a campaigner who has been around as long as Rose and achieved so much sounds so enthused, you know you’re witnessing something special.
What guts Fleetwood has shown, not only to rebound from his opening day woes but from his poor start yesterday. The course had been set up for low scoring and he was in danger of being lapped. Yet he summoned up a recovery that has taken his challenge for a title he badly wants down to the wire.
‘It’s been an absolute pleasure leading the Race to Dubai for the last few months and I feel very proud going into the last day with a chance to win it,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘It could have gone all flat if I’d struggled this week but it’s been the opposite, and I’m thrilled to have this opportunity. Whatever happens on the last day between myself and Rosey, we’ll know the winner will certainly have deserved it.’
This has become such an enthralling saga it’s easy to forget there’s a brilliant tournament going on at the same time as well. Who will win the DP title is anyone’s guess, with ten players within three shots of the lead following a day of remarkable scoring.
Gifted Spaniard Jon Rahm, for instance, is just a shot behind, with in-form Paul Dunne and Tyrrell Hatton both dangerously placed at three adrift.
Dunne fired a 67, finishing strongly with three birdies on the last four holes.
Shane Lowry stayed in the top 20 after a 68, despite bogeying the final hole. He lies six behind Rose.
It’s all set up for what promises to be an unforgettable day to end this golfing year.