DEFENDING champion Matt Fitzpatrick claimed the halfway lead in the DP World Tour Championship after Tommy Fleetwood ensured the Race to Dubai battle would go down to the wire.
Fitzpatrick carded a second consecutive 67 at Jumeirah Golf Estates to reach 10 under par, a shot ahead of the man he beat into second place last year, English compatriot Tyrrell Hatton.
Justin Rose, who would overhaul Fleetwood with a remarkable third consecutive victory on Sunday, was a shot further back alongside Julian Suri and Kiradech Aphibarnrat after a costly three-putt bogey on the 18th.
And that meant Fleetwood had regained the upper hand – albeit by a narrow margin – in his bid to end the season as European No 1. A superb 65 lifted him 35 places in the 60-man field and to within two shots of Rose on six under.
“Today was pressure in a different way,” said Fleetwood, who has a lead of 256,738 points over Rose. “If I had shot level par or one under everything is completely out of my hands.
“I’ve kept myself in with a chance of the tournament but it’s only a big round if I keep it going. I don’t know whether Justin will be bothered or not. He is so strong mentally and he knows what he’s doing.
“He’s been in a lot of situations like this and this is my first time, but I’m glad I’ve put my name up there rather than the wrong end of the leaderboard.”
Fitzpatrick’s 67 included five birdies and an eagle and ensured he has not been outside the top eight after his last 10 rounds in the event.
“I’ve got nothing to lose,” the 23-year-old said. “I’m not trying to win the Race to Dubai.”
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