Tyrrell sets pace as Rory is forced to raise his game
iF HE keeps going like this, Tyrrell Hatton might just find some peace of mind. For all his huffing and puffing, one of golf’s more temperamental souls is jointly setting the pace after two rounds of the European circuit’s Tour Championship in dubai.
it is a position he shares on 12 under par with Matt Fitzpatrick, meaning two Englishmen lead this strong field after matching loops of 67, though there will perhaps be a glance over the shoulder at rory Mcilroy, who is seven shots off the pace.
The world no 1, resuming at one under, was heading for another mediocre tally, only to burst into life on the final three holes at the Earth Course, with two birdies followed by a stunning four iron from 225 yards on 18 to set up a tap-in eagle.
While the deficit to his ryder Cup team-mates may prove too large for his primary aim of winning the tournament, it sharpens his prospects in his secondary aim for the Harry Vardon Trophy, awarded to the player who tops the dP World Tour’s season-long rankings.
He has held the spot since July, but if Fitzpatrick wins here for a third time, Mcilroy will need to finish second to hold him off.
‘Fitz is obviously making it more difficult for me,’ said Mcilroy. ‘as long as Fitz keeps playing well, i’m going to have to play better. it’s a good challenge and i at least feel like i’ve still got something to play for here. it was nice to finish with a flourish.’
Hatton had declared himself ‘ raging’ after wrapping up his opening 65 with a bogey on 18, but was more satisfied with a 67 in the second, which included a penalty drop on his way to salvaging par at the last.
‘i’m more level-headed compared to yesterday,’ said Hatton. ‘ That 18th hole has been pretty harsh to me over the years so it owes me a few shots. Maybe this weekend it will give them to me.’
after an impressive round with only a single bogey, Fitzpatrick revealed he has been trialling a new virtual reality tool that provides a read on the greens.
‘ it is basically cheating and obviously not legal for tournaments,’ he said. ‘Hopefully it will help me develop my green reading as a skill.’