New dad Fleetwood hits record 63
A new-born son one week and a new course record at Carnoustie, of all venues, the next. Could life get any better both personally and professionally for Tommy Fleetwood?
As if it wasn’t enough to be the joint course record holder at the old Course at St Andrews, the 26-year-old from Southport birdied the last at the vaunted Angus links to become the first man in its long and storied history to go round in 63 strokes.
Yes, lower than Jack nicklaus ever managed here, or Tiger woods, ben Hogan, or any other legend you care to mention.
True, it was a great day to play the toughest course on the open rota, with little wind and pin posi- tions more generous than they will be when the Claret Jug is at stake in July next year. but it was still a magnificent feat, one recognised by playing partner rory McIlroy, who needed eight strokes more to complete his round, and faces a fight today simply to make the cut for the final round.
‘It was great to watch. Tommy didn’t put a foot wrong all day,’ said McIlroy. ‘It was a special round, and what a place to be the course record holder.’
what a place, indeed. To think, the previous Friday, Fleetwood was in hospital cradling his day- old son Franklin and cherishing the moment he became a father.
Fleetwood (below) was in 120th place after six holes of his first round in the Alfred Dunhill Links on Thursday but he is now tied for the halfway lead with fellow englishman Tyrrell Hatton. He is a million points ahead in the race to Dubai and could take a giant stride towards yet another milestone in his amazing year if he were to notch up his third victory of the season tomorrow. ‘To be honest, I didn’t know my 12ft-birdie putt at the last was for the course record but I was told as soon as I’d holed it and it feels very special,’ said Fleetwood. ‘I think I only hold two course records and you can’t do better than St Andrews and Carnoustie.’ Meanwhile, David Drysdale, with the bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres for company, made some sweet sounds of his own with a 67 at Kingsbarns that has left him just three shots off the pace. ‘I’m just playing great and it was brilliant to play in the same group as Tico and my playing partner, Mike rutherford from Genesis,’ he said. ‘ we’re chatting away between shots and they’ve got so many stories to tell.’
Drysdale’s delight contrasted with the fate of Paul Lawrie, who had to withdraw owing to his painful foot condition. He will not play again this year.
Defending champion Hatton led by three strokes after two rounds of the british Masters last week but lost his way over the weekend, when he allowed frustration to get the better of him. ‘I’m going to try to stay calm and patient this time,’ he said.
Hatton went round Carnoustie in 65, including a brilliant chip-in for an unlikely birdie at the par three 16th.