Tommy Fleetwood is looking to go one better than his runner’s up finish in the Scottish Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

TOMMY Fleetwood is hoping to convert his strong run of form on the European Tour into a third Rolex Series title with a victory on home soil in this week’s BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth.

The Southport golfer finished tied third in the Portugal Masters prior to last month’s US Open.

He then lost to Aaron Rai in a play-off in last week’s Rolex Series event, at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

That latter result at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club lifted him into third place in the Race to Dubai.

And the 2017 European No. 1 believes another strong performance at Surrey’s famous Burma Road course at Wentworth can bolster his chances of claiming that honour for a second time.

Tommy Fleetwood said: “My game is in good shape, I feel good, so looking forward to getting going.

“It is always lovely coming back to this one. I think normally with it comes the atmosphere of home fans and I always think it’s one of the best ones to play in front of.

“I think the first tee is always a really nice feeling when you walk to the first tee, and how much they support you.

“The 18th is always a great finish. It’s different. We have had some bad weather in the past, so not really a time of year that makes a difference.

“The course seems to be playing quite different. But it is lovely – great hotel, English, parkland course. Still lots of good with it.

Best moment? Race to Dubai win. . .

TOMMY Fleetwood said victory in the Race to Dubai three years ago was the standout achievement for the Lancastrian, who won the English Amateur Championship at Little Aston 10 years ago.

“It’s still my proudest thing in golf winning the Race to Dubai – for playing over a whole year and finishing the highest in that ranking.

“Having the Race to Dubai in the bag – knowing a good week can shoot you up there again – is always something lovely.

“I think it’s an amazing achievement. To be around and have another chance this year is great. But the focus is on this week for now.”

“I’ll be lucky, I’ve had that for the last two or three years. But it’s been nice knowing you have a good week and see yourself right up there in the Race to Dubai.

“It’s always nice to have in the background. I think a lot of times when we play a world tour, you go week-to-week and that’s the right thing to do.

“Played really well in Scotland and had things to work on which is always great.

“Keeps you hungry, and it’s just a nice two or three-week stretch again in the UK events that players love coming to.

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed is happy to support the European Tour by playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Reed continues European adventure

JOINING World No. 14 Tommy Fleetwood in the field is current Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed.

The controversial American has made a special trip over from the States to strengthen his own chances of winning the season-long contest.

The World No. 9 was runner-up to Francesco Molinari in 2018. Reed finished tied fourth on his debut in the BMW PGA Championship last year.

And the 2018 Masters winner will tee it up in the first two rounds alongside European Ryder Cup players Lee Westwood and Tyrrell Hatton.

Meanwhile Tommy Fleetwood will be joined by defending champion Danny Willett – the Masters winner in 2016 – and 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry.

Reed has had to endure the scrutiny over accusations about an incident over allegedly improving his lie in a bunker in the States last year.

But any criticism seems to have left the Texan unfazed and his eyes are firmly on the prize.

Reed said: “It definitely was motivated by winning the Race to Dubai,” when asked about his keen-ness to travel across the Atlantic for another tilt at Wentworth’s West Course.

“When you’re in the lead, being able to come over is always nice to try to stay on top,” he said.

Captain America supports European Tour

“It was a long decision and it’s one of those that at the end of the day, every time we thought about it, we’ve always supported the European Tour,” said the player nicknamed Captain America after his exploits in the 2016 Ryder Cup.

“We’ve always enjoyed coming over and playing on the European Tour,” said the winner of eight PGA Tour events including the Green Jacket two years ago and the WGC-Mexico Championship, in Februrary.

“Being a lifetime member of the Tour, it was something that I had to come over and play,” said Reed.

“It’s the event, the venue, and supporting the European Tour. The biggest thing for me is it’s their biggest event, and for what the European Tour has done for me, I felt like I had to be here. I had to support.

“And I was going to figure out a way – and my team was going to figure out a way – for me to be able to come over to show that support, considering what they’ve done for me, and especially during times like this where everyone is struggling.

“I see myself as a guy who travels, a guy who plays worldwide, who tries to better my game and figure out not only different cultures, different grasses, different time zones, try to become a more well-rounded golfer.

“And the only way I’m going to do that is by playing on the European Tour and playing around the world.”

Justin Rose will be looking to defend his Olympic title in Japan in 2021. Picture by IGF

Why Rose is ready to come home . . .

OLYMPIC champion Justin Rose is also in action on home soil as part of an all-English three-ball alongside Ryder Cup teammate and long-time friend Ian Poulter.

The latter has been instrumental in guiding the career of rising star Sam Horsfield.

The Manchester-born youngster, who spent most of his youth based in Florida, became a two-time winner during the European Tour’s first UK Swing this summer.

The 23-year-old makes up the group with his mentor Poulter and Rose, who has been working hard to overcome a quiet spell in the States.

Rose, who will have to wait another year to defend that Olympic title after the 2020 Olympics in Japan were postponed for a year, is glad to be back in the UK.

And Rose revealed this week his family are in the processs of relocating from the Bahamas back to the UK to be close to his mum Annie and so his children can be educated in the UK.

The 40-year-old who came through the Hampshire junior ranks in the mid 1990s, said: “It’s great to be home, lovely autumnal feel at the moment.

“Been a crazy year, and obviously first opportunity to really get back and play something on the European Tour.

“To catch up with everybody, first-time experience of the European Tour bubble – I’m excited about playing golf.

“This is for me, the BMW PGA Championship, what I’ve always called a bucket-list tournament.”

Justin swings towards taking ownership

ROSE has also struck out on his own looking after his swing without a full-time coach, having worked in the past with David Leadbetter and Sean Foley.

Justin revealed: “I think ultimately, the decision was, I turned 40 this year and maybe I was fully grown-up – and ready to do more by myself. And not have so much hand-holding.

“I still have Sean Foley around me, who I can consult with if I have a question. That’s the way I treat it.

“If I have a question, go to someone and get the relevant answer – but to take a little bit more ownership myself.

“Hasn’t worked out yet. But these things don’t always happen immediately,” said Rose, who did finish ninth in the USPGA at San Francisco’s Harding Park, in August.

“The last couple of days have actually clicked into a couple days of what I call growth,” he added.

“There’s some light-bulb moments and it’s a blend of some of the new things I’ve learned along the way and some of the old blueprints under Sean.

“I feel like I’m piecing all that together and also body-wise, being able to drill it and groove it in.

“You always see results on the range before you see it on the golf course. But like I said earlier, I feel positive and motivated at the moment.

“I’m enjoying my golf and my practise, so you can only hope that does lead to good stuff eventually.”

The 2020 BMW PGA will have no crowds for the first time as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

No Wentworth crowds in COVID age

ALL the players have been getting used to playing without crowds since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wentworth normally has crowds of 30,000 every day regardless of wehter the BMW PGA was played in its traditional date in May, or in the new September slot it was given last year after the USPGA moved to May.

Danny Willett was happy to reflect on his win 12 months ago with his defence coming in October as the European date tweaked the date to avoid the clash with the rearragned US Open.

Willett said: “There was lots of good, great moments within that round.

“But you know, coming down the last couple in that position, finishing birdie, birdie, closing out the way we did, just coming up the last with actually being able to enjoy that 200-yard walk up the last with all the family and friends there and crowds there.

“It’s a pretty spectacular backdrop usually on the 18th come Sunday. Memorable moments, and yeah, could be a bit different this weekend – but hopefully same scenario.

“It’s always nice to come back here. Obviously unusual to past years where it’s been incredibly busy and great home support being English.

“Game has not been in an amazing place – so nice to be back here and get a few nice vibes of obviously how things went last year.

“Working hard and see if we can get a little bit of form back and put up a little bit of a fight this week.

•To follow Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose in the first round click here for live scoring.

The post Tommy Fleetwood aiming for a third Rolex title at BMW PGA Championship appeared first on Golf North.

Wolverhampton’s Aaron Rai claimed his second European Tour win – and first Rolex Series title – beating Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

AARON Rai defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off to win his first Rolex Series title at the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

The former HSBC Wee Wonders winner – famous for wearing two gloves – signed for a wonderful 64 to set the target at 11-under par.

But Fleetwood holed a 20-foot putt on the last for a closing birdie to take it to extra holes at The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick.

It was advantage Fleetwood off the tee as Rai found a fairway bunker.

But the 25-year-old rescued his par and when Fleetwood three-putted from just off the green, Rai claimed his second European Tour title.

A visibly shocked Rai said: “It’s incredible. I played a lot in Scotland growing up – dreamed of playing in a European Tour event in Scotland.

“To be able to play in it was incredible a couple of years ago. And to be able to go still further is an incredible feeling.

“I didn’t really see many leaderboards all the way around. I knew we had to play well – and knew we had to cope pushing forwards.

“But luckily I had a good couple of breaks and also played very well. So I’m very pleased.”

Rai picked up the winner’s cheque for €974,352.96. He picked up just under €300,000 for his first European Tour win in Hong Kong, less than two years ago.

Aaron added: “You have to play some world-class golf. But for it to be a Rolex Series – with the class of field this week – is deeply satisfying.

“And yeah, I’m incredibly pleased. It’s a dream come true.

“If I’m honest, to win any event on the European Tour is amazing,” added Rai.

Ironically, Fleetwood was his playing partner on that day too.

Tommy Fleetwood (right) congratulates Aaron Rai of England after winning the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club

Rai ready for Race to Dubai chase

VICTORY has given Rai some new goals to focus on for the rest of the 2020 season. That includes the possibility of being crowned European No. 1.

“The Race to Dubai wasn’t something I was thinking of. Or certainly winning it wasn’t something I was thinking of before this week.

“Any time you’re up there in the Race to Dubai – whether it’s winning it, whether it’s in the top three, top five – it shows a great degree of consistency with some really top results, as well.

“So still a long way to go in the season. But it’s a great spot to be in,” said Rai, who grew up in Wolverhampton, and recorded three Challenge Tour wins in 2017.

The latter included his maiden Challenge Tour victory in the Kenya Open.

That was watched by his mother Dalvir, who hailed from East Africa and returned to Mombasa for the first time in 47 years to see Rai win.

COVID-19 restrictions meant there were no fans or family to see his Rolex triumph.

Rai’s latest victory came after he finished second behind American John Catlin at last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, at Galgorm Castle.

It moved the former EuroPro Tour player, who turned pro in 2012, into the top five on the Race to Dubai rankings.

He is now also inside the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking, moving from 183rd to 88th overnight.

Rai started wearing two gloves at the age of eight. By then he was already shining in the annual Wee Wonders event – organised by East Lothian-based pro Alasdair Good, with the UK finals held at St Andrews, every October.

Rai’s first EuroPro Tour win also came in a play-off in Scotland at Mar Hall in the 2015 Glenfarclas Open. That earned him £10,000.

Now Rai has an even bigger reason to love golf North of the border and Scottish links courses in particular.

Tommy blames putter for not closing door at Renaissance Club

Fleetwood tees off on the 18th hole during the final round of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open

FLEETWOOD was prepared to put his near-miss down to an indifferent week with the putter.

Tommy, whose fifth European Tour title came in last November’s Nedbank Challenge, said: “I hit a poor putt and that’s the end of it, really.

“Aaron played 72 holes very, very good, and it was Aaron’s time – and Aaron’s week. Congratulations to him.

“Obviously, I’d have loved it to have been me,” said the 29-year-old from Southport, who also missed a short birdie chance on the par–five 16th.

The Ryder Cup star added: “But overall looking back at the week, there’s so many putts that probably cost me going further in the tournament. But that’s golf.

“There’s a lot of areas in the game that you have to do well to win. One putt on 18 on the 72nd hole… putting cost me at the end. But that’s life and we try again next week.

“I played really, really good – especially the back nine. I felt really in control of my game, and nobody beat me over 72 holes.

“It was Aaron’s time and that’s how it goes.”

Overnight leader Robert Rock battled back with four birdies on the back nine only to bogey the 18th in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

Robert Rock left counting cost of bogey at the last

OVERNIGHT leader Robert Rock, who also hails from the West Midlands, missed out on a place in the play-off by one shot.

Rock had slept on a two-shot lead. He dropped two shots on the front nine, before making four birdies in seven holes.

But the two-time European Tour winner missed out with a bogey at the last for a round of 70.

Australian Lucas Herbert picked up six shots in the first 10 holes, to bounce back from a 79 in Saturday’s storm. His 65 posted the clubhouse lead at nine-under.

Scotland’s also Marc Warren – playing with Rai – bogeyed the last to drop back to nine-under after a superb 66.

Warren and Herbert were a shot clear of Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult, Woburn’s Ian Poulter, South African Erik van Rooyen.

Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington was a shot back in a share of ninth.

Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell, Essex’s Matthew Southgate, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Finn Kalle Samooja joined the Irish legen on seven-under.

•For full results at the Scottish Open click here.

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Liam Johnston, who shot a superb 61 to lead the Portugal Masters after the first round, at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf course. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SCOTLAND’S Liam Johnston produced the lowest round of his European Tour career at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf course.

The 26-year-old from Dumfries fired a sparkling round of 61 to lead by one shot at the end of the opening day of the 2020 Portugal Masters.

At nine-under par through 16 holes, the Scot was in contention to match the historic 59 Oliver Fisher shot on the same Algarve course two years ago.

He narrowly cleared the water with his approach into the par-five 17th, but could not hole his eagle putt from range.

A par on the last took the two-time European Challenge Tour winner to 10-under, one shot ahead of Frenchman Julien Guerrier.

Johnston, who won the Kazakhstan Open two years ago to earn his European Tour card, said: “With the rough out there, it’s nice to keep the bogeys off the card.

“I saved well when I needed to and holed a lot of putts out there. Delighted with the 10 birdies.

“I told my coach back home I was swinging it as good as I ever have, and my game feels like it’s trending in the right direction.

“More importantly, I’m in a really good place mentally. I didn’t see a round like this coming. But I felt like I was playing well,” said Liam, who won the African and Scottish Amateur strokeplay titles in 2017.

Johnston: I didn’t know course par

INEVITABLY, much of post-round talk was how aware was he that he had a real chance to equal Oliver Fisher’s record-breaking 59 at the Victoria Course in 2018.

Johnston said: “I had no idea. I was just talking to Kristoffer Broberg and just noticed it was a par 71.

He added: “I thought it was a par 72. Obviously, I was trying to hole that putt on 17 to make eagle, and just left it a little bit short. Nice par on the last.”

Johnston has been friends since childhood with Grant Forrest and Connor Syme. The latter had a very successful UK Swing, finishing third in the Celtic Classic at Celtic Manor.

Liam freely admits their successes – and that of Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Bob MacIntyre – are spurring each other on as they seek to match last year’s European Tour win Down Under by David Law, who is slightly older.

“We’ve all known each other for ages and feed off the success each other has,” said Johnston in 2018.

Frenchman Guerrier has struggled to match his victory in The Amateur Championship in 2006, when he beat Surrey’s Adam Gee, at Royal St George’s.

Guerrier said: “I really enjoyed how I played the course. The conditions were great. The weather was perfect. I played great. I hit a lot of fairways and I think that is the key here.

“As soon as I hit my ball into the rough it was a different hole. You fight for the par and when you put your ball on the fairway it’s like a birdie chance.

“You try to make it the best you can,” said the 36-year-old, who shot a 60 during the 2009 European Tour School, where he earned his first card.

Laurie in second place at a Canter

MEANWHILE ex-Somerset county player Laurie Canter was at seven-under after a round of 64, with all of the leading three players going bogey-free in Vilamoura.

The 2010 South African Amateur and South African Strokeplay winner said: “I don’t think I’ve done that for a while to be fair, bogey-free, I’ve had my fair share of bogeys so it’s nice to keep them off the card for a day.

“There’s a couple of new things I’ve been working,” the 30-year-old revealed.

“Nothing radical really. Just some good, smart advice from some good coaches and my other half, Anna, is now my manager. So I’ve got to put it down to her really.”

Canter won six times in 2010, including victory in the Hampshire Hog, breaking Justin Rose’s scoring record at North Hants GC.

But the Bath-based golfer is still looking for his maiden European Tour win having turned pro in 2011.

Rory’s ex-Walker Cup partner’s good start

NORTHERN Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell, who partnered Rory McIlroy at the Walker Cup, in 2007, is another Great Britain and Ireland player at six-under.

The 36-year-old from Bangor, who has two wins on the PGA EuroPro Tour, was one shot ahead of South African George Coetzee – one of the pre-tournament favourites.

The pair were joined on that number by Cheshire’s Walker Cup player Matthew Jordan, Denmark’s Ryder Cup player Thorbjørn Olesen and Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg, whose maiden win came a year ago at Crans, in Switzerland.

A group of 12 players are then at four-under, with World No, 16 Tommy Fleetwood, and the highest-placed Portuguese player – Tomás Bessa – among a further eight players at three-under.

Fleetwood happy with driving as US Open draws near

FLEETWOOD playing in the event for the first time in four years was pleased as he started his preparations for next week’s US Open in earnest.

“Overall I was happy,” said the five-time European Tour winner. “I had a dodgy spell through three, four, five, six and then started hitting it well and had chances.

“The course is a different test to what it’s always been. I drove it great – ignore the one on the last.

“I drove it really well and gave myself a lot of chances. It’s nice to be playing this course again.

“I felt like I was working hard, like every shot. But the more I felt myself strike the golf ball, look up and seeing it doing what I would like it to do, the more confidence you build.

“And that’s exactly why I’m playing this week. You’ve got to play golf really, in tournament conditions.

“And it’s always nice to see some work pay off in a tournament.”

Meanwhile, India’s Shubhankar Sharma recorded the first albatross on the 2020 Race to Dubai, holing out from 241 yards with his second shot on the 588-yard par-five 17th hole.

•Follow live scoring in the second round of the Portugal Masters by clicking here.

The post Johnston spurred on by Syme success fires brilliant first round 61 at Portugal Masters appeared first on Golf North.

Tommy Fleetwood has not played the Portugal Masters since 2016 but arrived at Vilamoura’s Victoria Golf course as part of his US Open preparations. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

TOMMY Fleetwood is teeing it up at the Portugal Masters, on the Algarve, for the first time since 2016.

And the Ryder Cup star is excited to be back at a regular European Tour event after the four-month hiatus due to coronavirus.

Fleetwood played every edition of this event between 2012 and 2016. And the World No. 16 is looking to become the third Englishman in succession to lift the trophy at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf course, come Sunday.

A win for the Lancashire ace on the Algarve would see him follow compatriots Tom Lewis and last year’s winner Steven Brown, before heading to next week’s US Open, at Winged Foot.

Fleetwood said: “It’s great coming back and seeing everybody that you have played with for a long, long time.

“The European Tour definitely, for us that have grown up on the Tour, it has a beautiful atmosphere to it.

“Obviously, we are in a bubble right now. But as soon as you come back it has a feel about it that is really, really nice.

“The Portugal Masters was an ideal opportunity to get some competitive golf in and come back on the European Tour.

“I have never had a run at the tournament. But I have always enjoyed coming here.

“I think the hotel is great. The course is different this year – there is a bit of rough up – so it is a tougher test.

“But I just think it was the perfect scenario for me,” added Tommy, who has five European Tour wins to his name since turning pro in 2010.

“I haven’t played particularly great for a few weeks and I have gone back and worked on a few things,” Fleetwood admitted.

“I have always preferred getting to Majors early. But this year clearly things are very different and things change and get thrown out the window.

“I have never ever been to a tournament where I haven’t wanted to win and this week is exactly that.

“I want to go out this week and compete absolutely. But I think you gain from certain shots you hit, and you only figure those things out by playing competitively.”

Steven Brown rescued his European Tour card by winning his last event of 2019 on the Algarve at the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Brown feels a lot calmer for defence

WENTWORTH’S Brown is also in the Algarve field this week alongside fellow former winners Lucas Bjerregaard, from Denmark, Frenchman Alex Levy and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros.

Brown could not have been under more pressure then, requiring at least a fifth-place finish to secure his card, and ultimately taking the title in 2019.

The Surrey pro enters the week in a much more relaxed mindset after capturing his maiden European Tour title in Vilamoura, last season.

Brown said: “It’s nice to be back and see my picture up on the wall with the other previous champions.

“This season is very different, with different feelings from last year when I was in a tough spot trying to keep my card.

“I feel a lot more chilled than last time. Hopefully I can produce the same sort of stuff,” said Brown, who had the same coach as a junior as Ross Fisher at Wentworth.

“I did a lot of work in the off-season and then the second off-season during lockdown. It’s starting to pay-off.

“My putting has been up and down, which is why my results have been the same. But my ball-striking is consistent.

“I had a week off before The Belfry. I’m always a bit rusty the first week, but played really well in tough conditions last week at Valderrama.

“I feel like I’m in a good spot coming here.”

American John Catlin, wants to add a second European Tour to his win at Valderrama last week as quickly as possible after arriving on the Algarve. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Latest winner Catlin wants more victories

THE newest European Tour winner is also teeing it up in the 14th edition of the Portugal Masters.

American John Catlin is already aiming to add to the title he won last week, at the Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters, at a very tough Valderrama.

“Playing with some of the best players, like Martin Kaymer, a former World No. 1, all the way down the stretch to the last hole. Being able to hold him off is something I’ll always remember.

Catlin, who denied Martin Kaymer his first win in six years, said: “I’ve won many times as a pro. But winning that one is the biggest win for me for sure.

“My goal now is multiple wins. We’re always trying to win. Once you win one, you want to win two.

“It was the same for me on the Asian Tour. I won one and I wanted to win two. then I won two and I wanted to win three.

“I guess you become a little bit greedy in a sense. That’s my next goal, to win again.”

Bjerregaard: ‘Life on European Tour a lot different now’

BJERREGAARD was the winner three years ago. He said: “I think this is the first time since I’ve been on Tour that my wife isn’t here with me.

“So it’s a bit strange, but I’ve always enjoyed coming here. I got the win in 2017 and had a couple of decent results.

“Normally there is not a lot of rough around here, which suits me. That’s changed a bit this year.

“That will be fun. It will be a different course to what we have seen the last few years.

“The wind is up today. If it stays like that I think we’ll see some different scores than we are used to.

“It’s just a great vibe here. The weather is nice, great food. It’s not a bad place at all to come,” said the winner of the Danish Amateur title in 2007 and 2008, who was crowned European Amateur Champion in 2010.

Iberian Swing to continue Golf For Good charity work

THIS week is the second of three tournaments in the “Iberian Swing” as the European Tour continues the practice of grouping tournaments in regional clusters where possible.

It follows two dual-ranking events in Austria and the six-event “UK Swing” since the resumption of the 2020 Race to Dubai.

This week also sees the continuation of the European Tour’s Golf For Good initiative, on the Algarve.

Vilamoura World and the European Tour have teamed up to donate €200 for every birdie and €500 for every eagle scored on the par five 17^th at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.

The proceeds will be split between two local charities – Existir and APEXA – and EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association).

•For live scores from the Portugal Masters click here.

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The USGA has created a special exemption category that will give five European Tour players, who are no already exempt, a start in the US Open at Winged Foot, in September.

STARTING spots in the US Open will be up for grabs in a mini order of merit for players competing in the European Tour’s UK Swing, which gets under way next month.

The USGA – golf’s governing body in North America – has agreen that 10 exemptions will be available to European Tour members in a mini Order of Merit for the first five events in July and August.

The UK Swing begins at the Betfred British Masters at Close House, near Newcastle, from July 22-25.

The event – hosted by Lee Westwood – will launch the European Tour’s Golf for Good initiative, a strong feature of all its events over the remainder of the 2020 season.

As part of the initiative, a mini order of merit will run for all six events in the UK Swing, with the top 10 sharing an additional £250,000 to donate to charities of their choice.

The USGA has confirmed the top 10 aggregate points earners in the mini order of merit that are otherwise not exempt at the conclusion of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor – will be exempt for the rescheduled US Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, from September 17-20.

The traditional US Open sectional qualifying events were cancelled earlier this season – following the upheaval in the global golf calendar due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

That included the European qualifier at Walton Heath, which has been held in June, since 2005.

The US Open field will now be comprised entirely of exempt players.

Five-time runner-up Phil Mickelson now makes it into the starting line-up as one of the world’s top 70 when the Official World Golf Rankings were frozen in March.

Having dropped out of the world’s top 50 in recent months, he would have faced having to come through qualifying if COVID-19 had not struck.

Mickelson famously took six at the last at Winged Foot in 2006, after carving his tee shot wildly into a compound, handing Geoff Ogilvy the US Open.

Victory would have mean the left-hander could have completed a career Grand Slam when he won The Open at Muirfield in 2013.

Two spots from the top 10 at Memorial, the 3M Open, Barracuda Championship, FedEx St Jude Invitational and Wyndham Championship will earn exemptions.

Three more spots will also be available at the USPGA Championship.

Two spots will be given to the leading money winners on South Africa’s Sunshine Tour, the Asian Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia – plus two from the Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit.

John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director of championships, said: “We think this is the best path forward.”

Lee Westwood will host the Betfred British Masters at Close House, near Newcastle, in July

Austrian Open marks tour return

THE European Tour resumes with two events in Austria – the Austrian Open – between July 9 and 12 – and the Euram Bank Open, from July 15-18.

The action then switches to the UK and the Betfred British Masters, which was held at Hillside in May 2019 when Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult.

That will be followed by the English Open at Coventry’s Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club, and the English Championship at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, at Ware, in Hertfordshire.

The European TEuropean Tour, our then moves around the M25 and down the M4 to Celtic Manor, in Newport.

The Welsh Ryder Cup venue will host back-to-back European Tour tournaments – the Celtic Classic and the Wales Open.

The UK Swing then concludes with the UK Championship at The Belfry, another Ryder Cup venue synonymous with the European Tour.

European Tour chief operating officer Keith Waters said: “Throughout our discussions with the USGA, it was clear they shared our desire to offer European Tour players an opportunity to earn places in this year’s US Open.

“We thank them for working with us to create this new exemption category encompassing the first five events in the UK Swing.

“The UK Swing mini order of merit already offers an additional incentive through the Golf for Good initiative.

“And we are pleased that players now have more to play for, with places available in the second Major championship of the season.”

South Africa’s Dean Burmester, who led US Open Qualifying at Walton Heath in 2019. Picture by EUROPEAN TOUR

Walton Heath’s US Open qualifier run ends

THE US Open’s European qualifier has been held at Walton Heath since 2005 – when 200-1 outsider Michael Campbell claimed his place and went on to win at Pinehurst.

The USGA’s John Bodenhamer said: “The US Open qualifier in England has historically featured a very strong field.

“We felt it was important to provide an opportunity for players throughout Europe to earn a place in this year’s championship.

“We are grateful to the European Tour for the wonderful collaboration that allowed us to create this exemption category for the 2020 US Open.”

The top 70 from the world rankings, which were frozen on March 15, are already exempt for Winged Foot.

Along with increasing that category by 10 spots, the USGA chose to use the last ranking before it was frozen during the shutdown in golf worldwide.

Eddie Pepperell and Robert MacIntyre, who are not set to play until July 9, will benefit from that announcement.

•A full list of US Open exemption categories can be found on usga.org and usopen.com.

Andy Sullivan says the European Tour players have been unfairly disadvantaged by the Official World Golf Rankings points allocations since the PGA Tour returned this month

Andy Sullivan blast in World Golf Rankings row

NUNEATON’S Andy Sullivan has been very outspoken about how European Tour players have been disdvantaged by the resumption of the Official World Golf Rankings.

The PGA Tour resumed playing in Texas three weeks ago.

And with most of the world’s top 10 players turning up for events they would normally miss, it ensured big world ranking points for the winners of the Charles Schwab Cup, the RBC Heritage and this week’s Traveller’s Championship.

Sullivan said: “It’s obviously massively frustrating. A lot of the goals we set are around world rankings and getting into majors and World Golf Championships events.

“And you do feel like your opportunities are being taken away with us not playing for a month-and-a-half and they’re ahead of us.

Sullivan has dropped seven places since the PGA Tour’s restart without striking a ball before play commenced at the Traveller’s Championship today (Thursday).

The World No. 145 added: “They’re getting points while we are just sitting down watching them just take our points basically.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely fuming and I just think it’s an absolute joke.

“It’s completely unfair. It’s a world ranking system not a US tour system so I think its ridiculous.”

McIlroy blast for stayaway European Tour stars

RORY McIlroy upset some of his European Tour rivals by saying if they were concerned about their careers they should be playing in the USA this month.

Westwood said he was not prepared to travel to the USA and undergo 14-day quarantine to play a couple of events on the PGA Tour.

Especially as he would face a similar spell in quarantine when returning to the UK, with his commitment to the first event meaning he would not be able to go back to play in the rearranged USPGA Championship.

The 47-year-old from Worksop will host the Betfred British Masters for a second time at Close House, where he is the touring pro at his adopted home in the North East.

The first Major of 2020, will now be played at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park, from August 6-9.

Tommy Fleetwood is one of the UK’s players in the top 20 who has not travelled to the States in June.

Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell was another who said he was not prepared to undergo a 14-day quarantine to play in the USPGA.

But his former B.B.&O. amateur team-mate Tyrrell Hatton did make the trip this mont.

And he was rewarded with third place at Hilton Head in the RBC Heritage this week.

The Harleyford ace was going for back-to-back wins in the States after his victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, the week before The Players Championship, in March, when the PGA Tour was brought to a standstill by the coronavirus.~

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Tommy Fleetwood talking to the England players online during the Q&A session

TOMMY Fleetwood has admitted pulling on England Golf’s kit as an amateur helped to make him a star on the European Tour.

Fleetwood rose from the Lancashire ranks, via the England set-up, to the Challenge Tour and the European Tour, and was crowned winner of the Race to Dubai in 2017.

He revealed his career has been fuelled by two main goals – becoming World No. 1 and winning The Open Championship – and spoke about the work ethic, strategy and techniques that drive him towards more success.

Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, the runner-up in last year’s Open at Royal Portrush still has his sights set firmly on those twin career targets – depsite the lay-off caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Fleetwood freely admits his amateur apprenticeship – coupled with England Golf’s coaching set-up and the connections he made while wearing the cross of St George on his polo shirt, is stlll having an impact on his golfing career 10 years after turning pro.

The 29-year-old spoke to members of the current national squads and coaches during a frank and honest online Q&A session with the former European No. 1.

Tommy Fleetwood – the 2010 English Amateur Champion at Little Aston. Picture by TOM WARD

Fleetwood, who hails from Southport, said: “I remember as a really young kid there was a British Amateur played at Southport and Ainsdale and Birkdale (2005).

“Taking part was a group of players wearing that England shirt and with the rose emblem on their shoes.

“It was a quite a powerful symbol to me and I looked and said to myself that one day I wanted to wear those shoes and that shirt.

“My first England call-up was to play an event in Holland and I remember getting my kit delivered and being proud to pull it on.

“There is a pressure as you represent your country. Throughout my amateur life I always respected my country and I still have that appreciation and respect for the amateur game.

“I couldn’t have had a better apprenticeship. There is always the debate about US college or staying in the England system.

“I travelled the world playing the game I love with great players and fantastic coaching.

“When you learn your game and craft that’s all you want. There’s nothing I would have done differently, and I couldn’t have got any more out of the system.

“I’m grateful for what England gave me as an amateur and passionate about the experience. I have only fond memories and I want to give back.”

Tommy Fleetwood won the Scottish Amateur Strokeplayer in 2009, adding the English Amateur the following year with a win over Wentworth’s Warren Harmiston

Fleetwood’s rise to Ryder Cup fame

IN 2010 – aged just 19 – Fleetwood won the English Amateur Championship at Little Aston, in Birmingham, having won the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay a year earlier.

Recalling the win the five-time European Tour winner said: “Any amateur event or team event I won I still think how amazing it was and I’d do it all again.

“I don’t put the English Amateur beneath anything I’ve achieved since. All my wins mean so much.

“Any old pics that I see bring back that butterflies feeling in your stomach.”

One of Fleetwood’s England coaches as a teenager was Graham Walker. The Yorkshireman is now part of Fleetwood’s support team as a short-game coach.

And it’s that connection from his England amateur days that Fleetwood credits with taking his game to a new level.

That included becoming a Ryder Cup star after his famous partnership with Francesco Molinari in the 2018 win over the USA at Le Golf National that saw the pair dubbed “Moliwood.”

Walker was named England Golf Coach of the Year in 2019.

Fleetwood said: “I wanted to improve my short game in 2016 and the first person that came to mind was Graham.

“As the relationship has blossomed, he has taken me from someone who didn’t have a great short game to the point where I was leading scrambling stas on the PGA Tour.

“I love his knowledge and passion and when you enjoy working with a coach it makes a massive difference to how you learn.

“I still live my England life through Graham by asking him about the current group of players and England events.

“I’m always supportive of what the guys are doing. If there are Home Internationals or Europeans on the go, I’m an England fan,” added Tommy, who played in the 2009 Walker Cup at Merion against an American team containing Rickie Fowler, Peter Uihlein, Cameron Tringale and Brian Harman.

Tommy Fleetwood presents Josh Hill (left) with his Guiness World Records award at the Abu Dhabi Championship, in January. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

‘Hill did not look out of place in Abu Dhabi’

ONE of the latest talents to emerge in the England squads is Dubai-based Josh Hill.

In October, the teenager became the youngest-ever winner of a world ranking professional golf event aged just 15, on the MENA Tour, in the Middle East.

Fleetwood presented England Boys’ squad member Hill with his Guinness World Record certificate at the Abu Dhabi Championship in January and was happy to see another emerging English talent make headlines.

Tommy said: “It’s amazing really for a 15-year-old. To be fair, he’s a big lad and he didn’t look out of place at the tournament.

“It’s great to see stuff like that. My dad was always keen for me to get into things as soon as possible.

“Josh has a great future and what he experienced at the age of 15 will do him the world of good.”

•Fleetwood joined fellow European Tour and LET stars Matt Wallace, Matt Fitzpatrick and Meg MacLaren, who have spoken to the squads in recent weeks.

Danny Willett, Bronte Law, Chris Wood and Mel Reid are next in line to pass on their experience and wisdom to members of the England national squads.

The post Tommy Fleetwood: ‘I owe a big debt to my upbringing in England Golf squad system’ appeared first on Golf North.

L-R: Silver medallist Henrik Stenson, Gold medal winner Justin Rose and Matt Kuchar, the bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Picture by STAN BADZ / PGA TOUR

JUSTIN Rose has backed plans to postpone the Tokyo Olympics for 12 months – even though the winner of the Gold Medal in Rio four years ago won’t be guaranteed a trip to Japan in 2021.

This summer’s Olympic Golf tournament was due to be held at the Kasumigaseki Country Club, whose East Course had been updated by Fazio Design, from July 30-August 2.

But the Internatinal Olympic Committee announced yesterday (Thursday) it was postponing the 2020 Games after weeks of speculation about whether they would go ahead in Japan, in late July and early August.

Rose, who beat Henrik Stenson (silver) and Matt Kuchar (bronze) to take golf’s Gold in Rio de Janeiro, needs to be in the top 15 of the world to automatically qualify for a place on the plane to the Far East.

The 2013 US Open winner agreed the current situation across the world with the coronavirus crisis was creating an unlevel playing field in certain sports, especially athletics.

Rose, a member at North Hants Golf Club, said: “Some countries were in total lockdown. In other countries, athletes were able to train as normal.

“With golf, your whole calendar is very focused on one week, to the next week, to the next week.

“Whereas in many sports, especially track and field, it’s a two-year process trying to gear into the Olympics, so I have a lot more sympathy for some of those athletes.

“The Olympics has been a huge gift in my career. It’s something that I’ve been so proud of and it was so fun to be a part of.

Rose punches the air after holing the winning put at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Picture by STAN BADZ “The

“The opportunity to win another one would be huge.

“It’s something that’s really resonated with golf fans. I’ve been announced on the first tee for the best part of four years as Olympic champion and it definitely warms the insides every time I hear it.”

Rose has slipped from first to 14th in the world rankings over the last year, missing three of his last four cuts.

The player crowned European No. 1 in 2007, before moving the USA, has been without a top-three finish since last June’s US Open – six years after he famously won his first Major at Merion, on Father’s Day.

Rose is staying at his home in the Bahamas during the current PGA Tour shut down.

He has been working on his game and hopes golf can be one of the first sports to return when the COVID-19 threat is quelled enough.

Justin added: “I wasn’t playing particularly well when things got called off.

“There were certainly areas of my game which need some attention, and I’m also viewing it as an opportunity to work on my fitness and try to make some gains.

“I want to be tournament ready when we do get back to playing.

“I’m lucky to have a simulator and a putting green in my garage, so I can work on some of the technical side of the game but nothing simulates actually playing golf.

“We have a huge advantage being an outdoor sport and in terms of close proximity, you have your caddie but that’s a personal relationship that you can control.

“Obviously if you’re playing a contact sport, you don’t have a lot of control over what the other guys do.

“The world needs it, especially if there are lots of people still stuck at home having to isolate.

“A bit of sport would be a good thing, and if golf was the first sport back, it would create a bit of a buzz and maybe find a new audience.”

Race to qualify for Tokyo suspended

GOLF returned to the Olympics in Brazil four years ago after an absence of 112 years – and the race to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics was about to hot up until the COVID-19 crisis put all golf tournaments on lockdown.

Rose, who has been World No. 1 for a total of 13 weeks during his career, would currently qualify to play alongside Tommy Fleetwood if the qualifying period had ended this week.

Justin was ranked in 14th place when the Official World Golf Rankings were suspended on March 20 –because of the shutdown of the two biggest tours in the world – the PGA and European Tours – while Fleetwood is in 10th spot.

Buckinghamshie’s Tyrrell Hatton – who claimed his maiden PGA Tour win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in the last event to be completed in the USA before the coronavirus crisis cancelled all golf in America – was in 21^st place when the freeze was announced a week ago.

Up to four players from the same country can compete in the Tokyo Games in 2021 – providing they are in the world’s top 15 at the end of the qualifying period.

Surrey’s Paul Casey, who grew up playing against Rose as a junior in county matches in the mid 1990s – they have also played as a pairing for England in Golf’s World Cup – is the next highest ranked Englishman in 24th place.

Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick, a place further back in the OWGR, will be harbouring ambitions for the Tokyo Olympics now that he has another 12 months or more to qualify for the England team.

For 42-year-old Casey and Rose – who turns 40 in July – it realistically represents their last chance at Olympic glory, with the likes of Fleetwood, Hatton and Fitzpatrick – all in their 20s – having time on their side.

North Hants GC member Justin Rose with wife Kate and mum Annie (right) after collecting his Gold Medal in Brazil four years ago. Picture by WARREN LITTLE

Proud mum and wife watched Rose win in Rio

JUSTIN Rose’s mum admitted it was hard to believe her son had been crowned an Olympic champion after watching his triumph in Rio four years ago.

Annie Rose, who still lives in Hook, where Justin was raised. admitted she found it hard to believe it was her son that had claimed golf’s first Gold Medal at the Olympic Games for 112 years, in July 2016.

Rose’s mother and his wife Kate watched every shot of the former Hampshire junior’s nerve-jangling battle with Henrik Stenson before his one-shot victory in Rio was secured on the 72nd hole.

The moment was made extra special when the Roses learned that Sunday had been Father’s Day in Brazil.

Rose’s father Ken, who died from leukaemia in 2002, spent so much time by his son’s side during his rapid rise from playing junior golf at Hartley Wintney, Tylney Park and North Hants, to finishing fourth in the 1998 Open as an amateur.

It was also Father’s Day in the United States when Rose won the 2013 US Open, at Merion – when Justin pointed to the sky in Ken’s memory after holding the winning putt in Pennsylvania.

Proud mum Annie said: “That was so good and to see my son out there.

“He worked so hard on his golf ever since he was little and to see him playing in an Olympics was enough as it was – and then to actually top it off with the gold…

“When I was a little girl growing up, who would ever have thought I would have a child who was a gold medallist? That actually puts it into perspective.

“Justin absolutely loved being here, Kate has, we all have and really embraced it. It’s wonderful that you can play for your country like this.”

The Rose family will now be hoping to be watching Justin again at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Olympic will become golf’s pinnacle says wife

ROSE’S wife Kate is an ex-gymnast, who competed for Britain at international level in acrobatic gymnastics, which was not an event at the Rio Games – and will not be at the Tokyo Olympics.

Kate, who lives with Justin in the Bahamas as well as having a home by the River Thames, in Putney, said: “I grew up watching the Olympics and that was the pinnacle of my sport.

“Obviously a lot of golfers didn’t have that so maybe it was a little slower for some of the golfers.

“But I think certainly the next generation will probably grow up thinking of the Olympics as a pinnacle of golf.

“I think anyone that has been here will also now view the Olympics very differently,” added Kate, mum to Leo and Charlotte, who has recently started playing golf with her older brother.

“Golf in the Olympics is a very special experience and one that I hope will get to continue, even beyond Tokyo.”

EDWARDS TO LEAD GB GOLF GOLD BID IN TOKYO

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Lee Westwood (left) with Close House owner Graham Wylie – the pair will host the 2020 Betfred British Masters. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

ADOPTED Geordie Lee Westwood is looking forward to becoming the first player to host the Betfred British Masters on two occasions when the European Tour event returns to Close House near Newcastle upon Tyne this summer.

Westwood has enjoyed an impressive start to 2020, winning the season’s first Rolex Series event, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA last month, to claim his 25^th European Tour title.

The former World No. 1 is back inside the top 30 on the Official World Golf Rankings and currently leads the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

Westwood previously hosted the British Masters at Close House in 2017, when nearly 70,000 fans came out to support the event as the European Tour visited the North East of England for the first time in 15 years.

Following that successful edition, the Betfred British Masters will return to the venue – where Ireland’s Paul Dunne chipped in on the final hole to finish three shots clear of four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy, for his maiden European Tour title.

Tickets for the event, which is being held in the North East from July 30-August 2, are on sale now.

“I’m really looking forward to hosting the Betfred British Masters again,” said Westwood, who follows Tommy Fleetwood in the role.

“I had a great time hosting it in 2017. You are busy during the week and it is hard work as you haven’t just got golf to concentrate on.

“You have to consider other things like keeping sponsors happy and different publicity things, but it is great fun.

“Last time it was a succesful tournament and hopefully it will be again,” said Westwood, who played junior golf for Nottinghamshire, while a member at Worksop, but who now lives in the Newcastle area.

“I think we got it pretty much right last time. We had a great turnout,” added Westwood.

“Obviously it is earlier in the year this time so hopefully the weather will be better in July/August time.

“We’ve also made a few alterations to the golf course. So hopefully that will be even better, and hopefully the north east people will turn out as they always do.

“I’m sure it will be well supported again and there will be another great atmosphere.

“Whether it is the football team or the Great North Run, they always come out in their droves up there.

“It makes a massive difference if there are a lot of people there creating an atmosphere.”

Westwood finished tied 15th when the British Masters was played at Close House three years ago.

And after his strong start to the season, Close House’s touring professional is targeting a second British Masters title following his first victory at The Belfry, in 2007.

“Winning in Abu Dhabi was great. I didn’t really know what to expect going into the week.

“I hadn’t really practised that much but I got my game together and pretty sharp very quickly.

“I played well and controlled my emotions well and felt comfortable on the golf course and started holing some putts.

“It was nice to be out there relaxed with things going my way.

“My name is on the British Masters trophy once already so it would be nice to add another one, especially with it being at Close House, which is a home tournament for me.

“I’m looking forward to it very much and I’ll be trying to play well that week and get some of that home support behind me.”

Tickets are already selling quickly for the Betfred British Masters’ return to Close House.

Lee Westwood with Close House owner Graham Wylie – the pair will host the 2020 Betfred British Masters. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Lee’s praise for Close House owner

WESTWOOD has paid tribute to the role of the venue’s owner Graham Wylie, not only for the helping the event to head back to the North East.

Wylie makes a much wider contribution to the region and received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honour’s list.

“Graham’s knighthood was very well deserved,” said Westwood. “He does an incredible amount for charity and people in that the north east, in Newcastle and the surrounding areas.

“It was great that he was knighted. It’s a bit strange calling him Sir Graham now but I’m getting used to it!”

Westwood’s win in Abu Dhabi took him to four European Tour wins in his 40s, and at the age of 46 he is tied alongside Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, who both went on to captain Europe in the Ryder Cup.

Only Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, who has 11 victories after turning 40, will be ahead of the “Worksop Wonder” if he can find that fifth win in his 40s by the end of the Betfred British Masters tournament.

•Tickets and hospitality for the 2020 Betfred British Masters at Close House are on sale now by clicking here.                                             

The post Westwood wants Close House win when he hosts British Masters for a second time appeared first on Golf North.

Lee Westwood has won back-to-back twice four times in his career and is confident of making it five at this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Picture by GETTY IMAGES.

LEE Westwood prepares to tee it up at Omega Dubai Desert Classic – keen to continue his perfect start to the season off the back of his 25^th European Tour victory on Sunday.

Westwood has managed to win back-to-back four times so far in his a career and the Newcastle-based Ryder Cup ace now has four wins in his 40s.

Nottinghamshire’s “Worksop Wonder” produced a brilliant final round display to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – his 44^th worldwide victory – bringing his winning run into a fourth decade, having secured his maiden title in 1996 at the Scandinavian Masters.

Westwood now has the same number of wins in his 40s as Bernhard Langer, who is still going strong on the PGA Champions Tour at 62, and Colin Montgomerie.

Lee said at the Emirate Golf Club on Tuesday: “I think the more you win, the more you get used to getting back to being on an even keel.

“A lot of people, if they are won early in their career, they struggle to bring themselves back again, but I’ve won a lot of tournaments and I’ve won weeks back-to-back.

“Obviously, over the years, I’ve had to really kind of evaluate everything, take it all in, process it, if you call it that – I hate that term – and then get ready for the following week.

“Yesterday I came up, hit a few balls, but being here in Dubai, letting people congratulate me, kind of being around, being present and getting that out of the way, lets me focus on this week’s tournament quicker.

“The goal is to work on the mental side of the game because I feel like that part of the game, if anything, has been lacking and that’s going to enable me to play my best more often.

“It is basically just go out, try my best, have fun, and just control what I control.

“I know if I get it in the right positions on the golf plane, I hit the ball straight, and you know what, shock – if I hit the ball straight and start holing a few putts, I’m talented enough to win tournaments.

“And if win tournaments, I move up with the world rankings and move up the money list and start qualifying for World Golf Championships and Majors – and possibly at the end of the year, the Ryder Cup team, who knows?”

Now the former World No. 1 returns to the Emirates Golf Club for the 25^th occasion – having finished runner-up twice in 1999 and 2010.

He arrives with a fresh mental approach to the game and as the new Race to Dubai No. 1 – a title he claimed back in 2009 after victory in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai that season.

His first European Tour Order of Merit triumph came back in 2000 when he clocked up five wins.

The veteran of 10 Ryder Cups now has four wins in his 40s – team-mate Miguel Angel Jimenez, picked up 14 of his 21 European Tour wins in his 40s, including five in 2004 after turning 40 that January.

And for anyone looking for some other links between the two premium ball-strikers, the “Mechanic” was 46 when he won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic 10 years ago, pipping Westwood in play-off.

Westwood has finished in the top five of the money list eight times in his career – with a runners-up finish in 1999, having been third two years in a row after turning pro.

Fleetwood’s praise for Westwood’s longevity

WESTWOOD’S countryman Tommy Fleetwood was quick to praise the 46-year-old’s longevity in the game.

The runner up in Dubai at last season’s DP World Tour Championship is himself searching for a sixth European Tour win of his career – and third in the Middle East – following his victories in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018.

Fleetwood said of Westwod: “I think longevity, it’s going to be the standard word used for him now now.

“His swing hasn’t changed since he was about 20 and it’s been working fine for the last three decades, so it might as well work in this one. I think he’s in a really good place himself at the moment, and it’s a different inspiration now.

“Because you watch him play as a kid, and now – as good as he is as a competitor – I class him as a friend and somebody that we can speak to, and great to hang around with and learn off.

“I think we’re all lucky to have Lee out on the Tour and absolutely if you can aspire to somebody, Lee is a fantastic person, looking at his career and the way he’s played – and how good he’s been for a long time.

“It’s very impressive,” added the World No. 10 – who was crowned European No. 1 three years ago – and who came close to winning himself last week.

The Lancastrian signed for a 63 on Sunday to finish tied second alongside Hallamshire’s Matthew Fitzpatrick and France’s Alfred Dunhill Links winner Victor Perez.

Fleetwood added: “I think most players feel very at home when they come out here.

“There are so many events now in the Middle East or the UAE.

“You always start the year out here and hopefully you end the year here. It’s not a given but generally we always end the year in Dubai.

“You get used to the golf courses. That’s one side. I’ve not always done well in the Middle East.

“I feel like I’ve grown to improve, and actually I feel comfortable and it is such a great place to play golf.

“You’re talking about second-place finishes in the last couple events in the UAE or second-place finishes in the in Majors,” added Fleetwood, who returned to the winner’s enclosure at the Nebank, in November, having gone nearly two years without a victory.

“The positive thing is they’re second-place finishes, I’m up there plenty of times, and hopefully it’s just a matter of time and eventually it will be my time – and I would love to get one whenever that is.”

Fleetwood, a Walker Cup player at Merion in 2009 – having lost the Amateur Championship final a year earlier – turned pro in 2010 after winning the English and European Amateur titles in the same season.

The reputation of the Southport-born and bred pro has been building year-on-year over the last decade.

Yet ultimately Fleetwood’s eyes are firmly focused on adding another trophy to his cabinet, as he enters his 30th year – and 10 years on Tour – having accumulated five titles, including two Rolex Series victories.

American Bryson DeChambeau joins the world-class field as defending championship alongside the Green Jacket winners of 2016 and 2017 – Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia respectively.

The Masters champions both started their Major winning years with victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Meanwhile 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry, who picked up the Abu Dhabi title six months before claiming the Claret Jug, is also in the field at the Emirates GC.

•Check for Thursday’s full first round tee times in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by clicking here.

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Italian Renato Paratore shared the first round lead in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with South Africa’s Shaun Norris. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

TWO unheralded European Tour players – Italy’s Renato Paratore and South African’s Shaun Norris – who outscored pre-tournament favourites Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood, in the first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

All the focus in the build-up had been on the big names bidding for the riches on offer in the United Arab Emirates during the first Rolex Series event of 2020.

But Norris and Paratore both fired rounds of 64 to share the lead after round one, holding off a chasing pack including World No. 1 Brooks Koepka – on the comeback trail after a serious knee injury.

Koepka was the centre of attention as he made his competitive comeback after a three-month injury lay-off in the Race to Dubai event.

But his bogey-free round of 66 wasn’t enough to match Norris and Paratore’s efforts of eight-under par.

Koepka, who won four Majors between June 2017 and May 2019, was still delighted with his display. “It’s good to be back. Missed the competition, obviously,” he enthused.

“I played really solid. Missed a few putts early if I really want to pick it apart.

“Drove the ball well. Controlled the ball flight and controlled distances really well – and that’s what you have to do out here.

Last year’s USPGA winner got a major boost after chipping in at the 17th.

Brooks added: “To chip one in there – I wasn’t expecting that. But the short game was really good.

“The strike was really good. I worked hard with Pete Cowen in trying to make sure that I know what I’m doing and understand what I’m doing – and can make it repeatable.”

“The knee feels fine. It was a little sore last night. Just did some treatment on it. That’s expected.

“This is a first week I’ve walked 18 holes and I’ve done it three times already.

“It’s a little tired,” said Koepka, who first suffered knee problems back in March – and was forced to miss the USA win in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, in December.

The knee had not recovered sufficiently in time following a flare-up when he displaced his knee cap playing in the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup in South Korea, in October.

And Koepka admitted earlier this week he was not sure how long it would take before his left knee was as strong again as his right – or if it would ever be.

Paratore birdied his last four holes to take the lead as he chases his second European Tour win, after missing out in a play-off in his last start at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, in December.

“Today I started really good and made some good putts the first holes, said Paratore.

“It gave me confidence for the rest of the day, and I kept making putts, so it’s been a really good day.

“I just tried to focus on my game on every shot, and I managed to finish really good and made some putts.

“In Mauritius I played really solid from tee to green,” added Paratore, who won the Nordea Masters, at Barsebäck in Sweden three years ago.

“It gave me some confidence, and then in the break, I worked on my short game and more on the body. This helped me.

“Today I hit some long drivers. I didn’t hit many fairways, but I cut some corners, so some short clubs helped me.”

Norris climbing world rankings

PARATORE was joined at the summit by Norris, who has risen to 60^th in the Official World Golf Ranking with a win, four second places and four other top 10s in his last 14 events worldwide.

Norris spent three months before Christmas in Japan, where he won the Top Cup Tokai Classic, in October.

“I hit the ball nicely. Gave myself a couple of chances. Didn’t fall over the first couple of holes,” said Norris, who is closing in on a place in the world’s top 50, which could earn him a spot at Augusta if he can make the mark by early April.

“I told my brother (Kyle), ‘I feel like I’m hitting the lines and starting to feel the greens’,” added Norris.

“As soon as I made the putt on eight, and then nine, I just started feeling like it’s snowballing. I started hitting better shots close to the holes.

“Really gave myself super opportunities after that,” said Norris, who admitted the win in Japan was tinged with sadness – having lost his dad in 2019.

Norris, who won the Sunshine Tour’s inaugural Africa Open back in 2008, added: “It’s been a rough year last year after losing my father.

“But my brother is back on the bag again and feels like everything is working at moment.

“We are having a lot of fun out there, and that’s the main thing. Really happy with what’s happening.

“I got my card in Asia about five years ago and started to play the Asian Tour, and won an event which was co-sanctioned with the Japanese Tour.

“A good friend of mine told me, listen, take a membership up. The Tour is very good, and the courses are phenomenal and you’ll learn a lot.

“Over the last four years, I think overall, my game has grown a lot. I’ve really learned a lot out there.

“It’s nice to be able to take it out and bring it out here,” said 37-year-old Norris, who won his European Tour card at the 2010 Qualifying School

Koepka and Australian Jason Scrivener are two shots off the lead.

Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Augusta Masters winner, fellow Spaniard and Rolex Series winner Rafa Cabrera-Bello, American Kurt Kitayama, China’s Li Haotong, South African Zander Lombard and Australian Zach Murray are all one shot further back at five-under.

Fleetwood, the back-to-back winner at Abu Dhabi Golf Club two years ago, is in 50th place after carding a one-under par 71 – one more than defending champion Shane Lowry, in a share of 33rd spot.

•For live scores in round two of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship click here.

Shaun Norris winner of the Top Cup Tokai Classic. Picture by JGTO

Norris praised brother on the bag after Japanese win

NORRIS dedicated his victory in Japan, in October, to his father who had died three months earlier – and praised brother Kyle for his help when he needed it most.

“I dedicate this victory to my father” said Norris, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour. “I wouldn’t have been able to seal this victory without the support of my brother.

“I can’t find enough words to describe this joy,” said after his win in the Top Cup Tokai Classic, at Miyoshi Country Club’s West Course – his fourth win in Japan since 2016.

“Our father gave us the chance to play golf. I really wish that he would still be alive,” added Norris.

“I lost concentration to play golf after making the double-bogey. I needed someone close to be with me.”

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