Tommy Fleetwood is determined to maintain his momentum in the Abu Dhabi Championship, entering the weekend tied for the lead with Aaron Rai.
After an impressive opening round with eight birdies and no bogeys at Yas Links, Fleetwood continued his strong performance with a six-under round on Friday. This included seven birdies, three of which came in the first three holes, and just one bogey.
Fleetwood’s co-leader, Aaron Rai, matched his position by delivering a remarkable round of 64. Meanwhile, Richard Sterne, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Andy Sullivan are trailing by two shots. Rory McIlroy is six shots behind after consecutive rounds of 68, while Shane Lowry is only three strokes away from Fleetwood and Rai.
Fleetwood acknowledges the need to minimise errors to secure another victory on the DP World Tour. Reflecting on his performance, he shared with Sky Sports: “It was another really good day. I got off to the perfect start: birdie, birdie, birdie. So that was good, especially when you’ve had a good round the day before.”
The golfer emphasised the importance of precision in his game. “I hit a lot of good shots,” he noted. However, he admitted there were instances where he ended up in the rough but managed to handle those situations well. His ability to control the ball from difficult positions was particularly satisfying for him.
Fleetwood remains cautious despite feeling confident about his game. He understands that golf can be unpredictable and is aware of potential challenges ahead. “I obviously feel good about my game and I’m doing so many things well,” he said. “But I am also very aware of what the game can do to you as well.”
The course at Yas Links presents numerous challenges that require consistent excellence from players aiming for victory on Sunday. Fleetwood recognises this and knows that maintaining relentless focus and scoring will be crucial in staying competitive.
The low scores achieved by players highlight the demanding nature of the course. Fleetwood’s strategy involves continuing to hit quality shots while keeping up with scoring opportunities throughout the tournament.
As Fleetwood aims for consecutive victories on this tour following his FedEx Cup win in August, he remains focused on maintaining his form over the final rounds in Abu Dhabi.