The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Smile if you’re in the race
FleetwoodinpolepositionbutRoseandGarciaarepoisedinDubai
Tommy Fleetwood is backing himself to have the last laugh after his chances of winning the Race to Dubai for the first time were considered a joke in some quarters.
Fleetwood has set the pace for most of the season thanks to wins in Abu Dhabi and France, two runners-up finishes and a tie for fourth in the US Open, but found his credentials as a European number one in question on social media.
“I remember seeing a Tweet somewhere and someone laughed at the thought of me winning the Race to Dubai, so that motivated me a bit more,” Fleetwood admitted ahead of the decisive DP World Tour championship.
“Someone had put, ‘Who do you think will win?’, and I wasn’t included. (Renowned putting coach) Phil Kenyon said, ‘What about the current leader?’, and somebody laughed.
“Little things like that always motivate you a little bit, but I don’t remember who it was.”
Fleetwood looked a nearcertainty
“Iwouldputmy moneyonme. Everyday”
until Justin Rose won back-to-back events in China and Turkey to slash his commanding lead, a lead he almost doubled to 256,738 points thanks to a tie for 10th in South Africa last week as Rose rested at home.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia can prevent an English champion with a fourth victory of the season in Dubai, but also needs Fleetwood and Rose to falter and is using new clubs in competition for the first time after his deal with TaylorMade expired.
“I would put my money on me. Every day,” added Fleetwood, whose fiancee and baby son are with him this week. “It will be a perfect way to end a year that’s been amazing for me, the biggest year of my career by a long way. You do look at individual events like the majors. They are the ones that everyone wants to win. I think it is a bit harsh that a lot of people’s careers are defined by four events. Anyone can have a hot week with the putter and win.
“Over the course of a year, it’s a lot more difficult and I think it does hold a lot of respect with your peers, having that consistency throughout a year. The list of players who have won it is great. I’m either going to join that list or the list of great players is going to carry on with one of the other two. I want it to be me.”
Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay, one of four Scots in the field, partners South African Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, in today’s first round.
David Drysdale and Nedbank Golf Challenge runnerScott Jamieson are also in action, while Marc Warren earned a late spot in the field after Matthew Southgate withdrew due to injury.