Tag: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

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European Tour Fun Panorama

Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland back to school at the DP World Tour

Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are hitting the DP World Tour school bag. (Photo: Twitter/ DP World Tour
Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are hitting the DP World Tour school bag. (Photo: Twitter/ DP World Tour

Last weekend was a throwback to school for Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland at the DP World Tour. The two golf stars competed against each other in a quiz. They were not left alone in the face of danger. Two junior golfers supported these two top DP World Tour players, helping them in this “child’s play” quiz.

What colour is a giraffe’s tongue?

The questions in this somewhat different quiz could be thematically classified as general knowledge. But do the golfers really know which is the longest river in the world? Or how many years ago did the dinosaurs become extinct? Good thing Fleetwood and Hovland counted with the two junior golfers Maya and Daniel to help them get through the exam.

The final challenge was not about general knowledge, but rather about something in what the two golfers are experts at, a putting contest. For the points they had previously earned, they had to move ten feet (3 metres) closer to the flag for each point. In this way, a 30-metre putt can be quizzed into a feasible chance of winning for the better team.

Full video of the DP World Tour and HSBC challenge


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European Tour

Hatton and McIlroy ready for Abu Dhabi return

Rory McIlroy feels confident about his golf game for the upcoming tournament.(Image: Getty)

Tournament Preview

Tyrrell Hatton returns to defend his title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, joined by four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy who also begins his 2022 DP World Tour campaign at the opening Rolex Series event of the season.

Hatton claimed a record fourth Rolex Series title last year in Abu Dhabi, with a four-stroke victory, but will defend on a different course as the stunning Yas Links hosts the tournament for the first time. The Englishman will nevertheless be in confident mood as he targets a fourth successive winning season on the DP World Tour.

McIlroy, meanwhile, has come close to victory in Abu Dhabi on multiple occasions and boasts four victories in neighbouring Dubai, so the Northern Irishman will be hopeful of challenging for the title come Sunday.

His Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry finished 2021 strongly, with a top five at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and a top ten at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, so the Irishman is excited to get going again at an event of which he counts himself a former champion.

Player Quotes

Tyrrell Hatton: “It is strange, normally going back to a place where you’re defending you have great memories from the year before but the fact that it’s a new venue in many respects doesn’t feel like defending, and this week is going to be a new challenge for everyone. No one has played it before.

“So you don’t know how the scoring is going to be and things like that. It’s going to be a challenge. But I’ll try my best and we’ll see what happens.

“I’ve tried to treat every event the same, and not get too work up in my own mind. Obviously I kind of do that enough on the golf course. Going into it, I just need to try and treat everything the same and that’s what I’ve done throughout my career.

“This week is a new course for everyone, so it’s hard to kind of know what the rough winning score generally is. I know we’ve got a lot of wind forecast for Friday and that’s going to obviously be a challenging day for everyone. But we’ll go out there. We’ll give it our best and see what happens.”

Rory McIlroy: “(My game) feels good. I think there’s always excitement and anticipation about a new year coming around and wanting to get off to a good start.

“I’ve been playing well in practise. I’ve been practising well. I’ve done some good work over the really sort off-season that we had. But yeah, it feels good. It’s nice to come out here and have these run of events be the first events of the year. It’s perfect weather.

“It might be a little windy for the week but you can get some good practise in and you still want to do really well in the tournament but it’s a bit like, you know, just to see where your game is and see what you need to work on going into obviously the meat of the season in a couple months’ time.

“I definitely feel like I turned a corner after The Ryder Cup. I think anyone that was paying attention saw I played better those few events did I play after The Ryder Cup and it’s just trying to continue on what I’ve been working on since then.

“I think trying to eliminate the big miss off the tee, those destructive shots where you make doubles from, reign that in a little bit and getting more effective with the scoring clubs. If I do drive the ball well I give myself so many opportunities. It’s about hitting new shots that maybe go to 15 or 20 feet or inside ten feet and all of a sudden you start to hole some and get a bit of confidence there.

“There’s not much I need to work on but there’s a couple of key aspects, and I think if I can get them down early in the year, I could be in for a good season.”

Shane Lowry: “It’s obviously along the coast here, and it’s going to be quite windy, links-style, but it’s fairly tricky around the greens, and so it’s going to require a lot of good iron play. And decent with the short game if you miss the greens.

“I’m confident with my game and going into it I’d be really, really bullish about this week. But I’ve had two months without tournament, and I’m always a bit anxious on a week like this about how I’m going to be playing going into it. It’s a course I feel like would suit me.

“I won the tournament at Abu Dhabi Golf Club but I haven’t actually had much more success. I’ve missed a lot of cuts there.

“That’s your typical parkland with nice pristine fairways and greens and thick rough, whereas here is kind of a bit more linksy style. The course here is in incredible condition, probably one of the best-condition golf courses you’ll see fairways and greens and around the greens.”

(Text: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship)

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European Tour

Morikawa returns in search of more Desert glory

Collin Morikawa is excited for start of the DP World Tour Season 2022 (Photo: Getty Images)
Collin Morikawa is excited for start of the DP World Tour Season 2022 (Photo: Getty Images)

Morikawa’s first time at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Collin Morikawa makes his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship debut at the opening Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season this week, the American hoping to begin this campaign as he ended the last – with victory.

The 24-year-old’s maiden Rolex Series win at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in November meant he became the first American to top the Tour’s Rankings.

As Morikawa returns to the Desert this week, the reigning Open Champion will be hoping to use his experience of links courses to master the coastal Yas Links Abu Dhabi – which hosts the prestigious event for the first time.

Two-time Abu Dhabi HSBC Champion Tommy Fleetwood, meanwhile, is relishing the challenge of a new venue and the Englishman will be hoping to return to winning ways at a tournament he loves, his last victory having come at the 2019 Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Morikawa is looking forward to the start of the DP World Tour 2022

Collin Morikawa: “Feels great (to be back on the DP World Tour). You know, I’ve been announced for a handful of months now as the Champion Golfer of the Year, but this is the first time someone brought that up of being the reigning Race to Dubai Champion, and there’s a lot of weight that’s on your shoulders right now.

“It’s a great weight to have and I want to come back as strong as ever. I want to start these first two weeks off on a real high note and hopefully come out with a couple trophies.

“There’s a lot that’s been going on, I’d say even since I’ve turned pro. It’s a very unusual two and a half years in professional golf, obviously with covid and a lot of other things in the world. “It’s just embracing being in the present, I think that’s the biggest thing, how do I enjoy the time wherever I am in the world, be with family, friends, whoever it maybe, and it’s just really fun. Just travelling to these place and meeting people.

“It’s a very good golf course. Coming from Kapalua where the fairways are about a hundred yards wide, this looks pretty narrow.”I think the conditions are going to prove tough. We’re going to have a lot of wind this week, a lot of different winds from what we are seeing on Monday and Tuesday compared to what the tournament is going to be. A lot of slopes in these greens, a lot of undulations and a lot of run-offs.”

Two-times champion Tommy Fleetwood: ready for the new venue

Tommy Fleetwood: “It’s going to be a completely different test. I think I’ve played this course once, maybe twice. But being honest, it was a friendly round, I remember very little about it.”The course is a different test. But I think you obviously draw on the fact I’ve had success in the area. First event of the year that it’s been for the last few years, and you never quite know what to expect. I always feel very aware that I haven’t played a tournament for a while and you feel rusty. “I think once you get going and once you get into, you start to pick up things about your game and you feel a lot more in the flow of things. I  just need to draw on all the good experiences I’ve had in this event, and take the next two days to learn about the course and start again.

“It’s got a lot of great players playing. I’ve been saying it for a while, no matter where you play now, the standard of golf now is so high, the margin for error is so small, and no matter where you are you’re not going to get away with playing mediocre, really. You have to turn up and give it some form of your best or highest level to compete with everyone out here. “So there’s not really any sort of easy weeks off time off, if you like. But that’s great. It’s great for the sport and it’s great for this event to have so many great players here, and I’m always excited to come back. I love playing over here. I love golf over here. I love how popular it is.”But I’ve had success here, so there’s a lot of good things going for me and for this week, and I’m just excited to get going.”

Text: DP World Tour

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European Tour

Defending Champion Hatton joined in Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship field by Fleetwood, Lowry and Westwood

Big names on the big stage! Defending Champions Tyrell Hatton must stand up to big-name opponents in january.

Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton will be joined at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by fellow former winners Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood as the latest star players set to arrive at Yas Island for the opening Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season, from January 20-23.

The quartet will be joined at Yas Links Abu Dhabi by their Ryder Cup team-mates Viktor Hovland, Ian Poulter and Bernd Wiesberger and their 2020 Captain Pádraig Harrington. Former Masters Champions Adam Scott and Danny Willett also return to the Emirate, with 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson looking to add another victory in the Desert to his impressive resume.

Hatton became just the second player to claim four Rolex Series titles after a flawless performance in Abu Dhabi last year which saw him overturn the overnight lead of four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy to clinch a four-stroke victory.

The World Number 22 will defend the prestigious falcon trophy at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, where Northern Irishman McIlroy will tee off his 2022 season and recently crowned DP World Tour Number One and two-time Major Champion Collin Morikawa will make his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship debut – the duo having already committed to back-to-back events in the UAE.

“Abu Dhabi was a crucial win for me in January,” said Hatton, a two-time Ryder Cup player. “It was my sixth Tour victory, and I was incredibly proud to join such an illustrious list of champions. It was without doubt the perfect start to my 2021 season.

“I’m excited to defend my trophy at Yas Links Abu Dhabi. It’s great to be at a new, world class venue and I know it will be a fantastic week with a stellar field.”

“I always love starting my season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and that is reflected by my results there down the years,” said two-time winner Fleetwood. “It is set to be a great week at Yas Links, which is a great venue worthy of an event of this stature.”

Lowry added: “I’m really looking forward to starting my season in Abu Dhabi once again. I obviously have very fond memories of this event and there is always a great vibe as the year gets underway with great weather, a strong field and a lively atmosphere among the fans.”

“I can’t wait to get to Yas Links as it hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship for the first time, said two-time Rolex Series winner Westwood. “It’s a course I really enjoy and hopefully that, along with the memories of my win in Abu Dhabi in 2020, can help me put in a strong performance and put myself in contention come Sunday.”

Scott, the 2013 Masters Tournament champion, has also confirmed his return to Abu Dhabi, making his first appearance at the tournament since 2008. The 41-year-old will tee it up in the 17th edition of the event as it moves to one of the world’s fastest growing leisure and entertainment destinations in Abu Dhabi.

The former World Number One is an 11-time Tour winner having claimed several titles in the Middle East and most recently securing the Australia PGA Championship, but his greatest victory so far came nine years ago at Augusta National. He birdied the 72nd hole to force a play-off with 2009 champion Angel Cabrera before birdieing the second extra hole to become the first Australian to wear the coveted Green Jacket.

His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome back our defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, along with our most recent tournament winners Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood to the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“As we move our distinguished Championship to Yas Island for the first time, we are looking forward to showcasing the magnificent Yas Links golf course, the incredible facilities on offer for players and spectators alike, plus the stellar field of world class golfers kicking off an exciting year of sport in the UAE.”

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European Tour

Hatton storms into five shot lead in Abu Dhabi

Hatton takes over McIlroy's lead in Round 2 (Image: Getty)

Round Two Report

Tyrrell Hatton has a fourth Rolex Series victory in his sights after opening up a commanding five shot lead on day two of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The World Number Nine recorded an eagle – his third of the week – four birdies and a single bogey in the first 13 holes of his second round before play was suspended due to fading light just before 6pm local time.

Tyrrell Hatton: “I’m obviously in a great position at the moment. It was certainly tough out there, so I’m really happy to be five under. Holed some nice putts and there was a couple par putts toward the end of my round, nice to hole them and keep a bit of momentum going.”

The Englishman, who triumphed on home soil at the BMW PGA Championship in September for his fifth European Tour title and his third Rolex Series victory, will re-start his round at 7.30 am on Saturday as he aims to hold off a chasing pack that includes four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy.

The overnight leader slipped back to seven under par with four holes left to play of a rollercoaster second round, to sit in a tie for second alongside Jason Scrivener, Jazz Janewattananond, and Romain Langasque, who will also return to complete the round on Saturday morning.

Jason Scrivener: “It was hard work this afternoon. Had to hole a few nice par putts to keep the round going but happy with it. Put in a lot of work over the off-season and it’s nice to see it pay off this early, and yeah we look forward to the weekend.”

Two time Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Tommy Fleetwood is amongst a group of ten players at six under par after a bogey-free five under par round of 67.

Tommy Fleetwood: “I think yesterday, I struggled, like I walked off and sat there last night and talked to Finno and Tommo, and I think I just forced it a little bit.

“It was really windy going out there in tough conditions and I think I tried to force a few golf shots playing in the wind, trying too hard to hit good golf shot and didn’t do the things that we work on, really. So that was just something that we spoke about.”

(Text: European Tour Press Release)

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European Tour

McIlroy off to a perfect start in Abu Dhabi

McIlroy is trying for his first win in Abu Dhabi (Image: Getty)

Round One Report:

Rory McIlroy got his season off to the perfect start as the Northern Irishman carded a stunning eight under 64 in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the first Rolex Series event of the 2021 Race to Dubai.

The four-time Major winner is still chasing his maiden victory at the prestigious tournament, despite a remarkable record which includes four runner-up finishes, three third place finishes, a top five and a top 15. But his opening 64 was his lowest ever round in 11 appearances at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

McIlroy carded two birdies in the opening three holes, having teed off at the par five tenth which he duly birdied, and coasted to six more in a flawless round which left him one stroke clear at the top.

McIlroy: ” I knew 65 is the best I’ve shot here and I’ve shot it a few times, so I thought let’s try to go one better on the next nine and I was able to do that. Maybe played slightly better on our front nine, but I holed some really nice putts coming in for birdie s. It was obviously a lovely way to start the year.

Leading the chasing pack was three-time Rolex Series winner Tyrrell Hatton, who signed for a seven under 65 which included a pair of eagles in his first nine holes – opening his account for the season with a three at the tenth before picking up another eagle at the ninth.

Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti was a shot further back on six under, while Frenchman Romain Langasque and Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain shared fifth place on five under. Defending champion and reigning Race to Dubai champion Lee Westwood opened with a three under 69.

Play was suspended due to darkness with round one set to restart at 7:40am local time.

(Text: European Tour Press Release)

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European Tour

McIlroy aiming to get the job done in Abu Dhabi

Rory McIlory begins his 2021 season with high ambitions. (Photo: Getty)

Four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy hopes to continue his strong run of form at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as he starts his 2021 season at the first Rolex Series event of the year.

In ten appearances  the Northern Irishman has finished runner-up three times and third on three further occasions, admitting that he has done “everything but win” around Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The 31-year-old is no stranger to success in the Middle East, claiming four of his 14 European Tour titles in the United Arab Emirates as well as winning the Race to Dubai three times.

McIlroy will begin his campaign in the company of defending champion and reigning European Number One Lee Westwood, and  World Number Three Justin Thomas. The 2017 US PGA Championship winner admits he has been an avid viewer of the tournament in the past as he prepares to make his first appearance in the Middle East.

Former champion Tommy Fleetwood will go in search of a third win in the space of five years at this event. After a near three and a half year wait for his second European Tour title, Fleetwood won the 2017 edition which he then successfully defended the following year. In 2020, he finished runner-up to Westwood.

Rory McIlroy: “It’s good to be back. I started my season in Abu Dhabi from 2008 to 2018 and it’s worked well for me. It’s a golf course I’ve done well at and played well on. I’ve done everything but win here and yeah, I’ll try again and see if I can get the job done.

“I enjoy playing in the desert, this style of golf. Obviously last year was a different year and I really didn’t travel back over this part of the world and play at all. But now with things, it’s still obviously not where we want it to be, but I think we know a little bit more about what’s going on in terms of how the virus is and how it affects you or how it doesn’t affect you in many cases and feel a little more comfortable traveling.

“It’s great to be out here and playing. It’s a great way to start the year. It’s a big event. Got some great players here. Obviously J.T. has made the trip over, as well. The start of our Ryder Cup points starting again, so a lot of guys will want to start well and get themselves off to a fast start in regards to that, too.”

Justin Thomas: “I’m very excited. This is a tournament and a place that I’ve watched on TV many times back home and it’s an unbelievable place. You know, it’s even nicer being on a Troon property for me, a partner that I have and I’m very close with, and it’s an unbelievable course. It’s in immaculate shape.

“It definitely is going to help driving it well. It seems like a course that if you’re driving the ball well, you have the opportunity to make a lot of birdies. The greens are pretty soft and they are in very good shape to where if you put the ball in the right place on the greens, you can make a lot of putts and really go low. That’s kind of been our priority here this week is just figuring out lines, figuring out shots and what I want to hit off the tees.”

Tommy Fleetwood: “I think it’s a great way to start the year. Everybody seems to like coming out to the Middle East just after Christmas and New Year, do some practise, and you come out here and you have some great tournaments to start the year.

“It was never really a course that gave me much pleasure, really. I missed a lot of cuts to start off with and all of the sudden in 2017, things kind of turned around and I started hitting good golf shots around the golf course. I’ve been on a lovely run in this event.”

Text: European Tour Press Release

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Professionals

European Tour: Victor Perez Revisits Final Round 63 at The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 19: Victor Perez of France celebrates after putting in for an eagle on the eighteenth green during the final round on Day Four of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 19, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

European Tour professional Victor Perez speaks to the media following his incredible final round of 63 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in which he finished in a tie for second with total score of -17 under par.

European Tour: Victor Perez speaks to the media following final round of Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Q. You’ve made incredible strides this weekend, today alone out in 33 coming back in 30 for an incredible 63. What was the difference?
VICTOR PEREZ: Really hard to tell. It was one of those things, you just play and you kind of get in the flow of the round, and obviously I felt like I needed to have a good round. I felt like I was well-rested starting the first tournament of the year.

I felt like I had a really good off-season preparing for the upcoming 2020 season, and obviously very pleased to be able to hold a fourth round on the first event of the year. It’s one of those things, I started to make a few putts. I feel like I putted very well this week, which is always needed for this kind of performance and obviously delighted.

Q. I think you had a well-needed break, as well, because after that incredible win, Alfred Dunhill Links, you went on to make some incredible results at the WGC and some Rolex Series. What have those results done for your confidence?
VICTOR PEREZ: Yeah, obviously a lot of confidence from these tournaments. Just thrive on these moments. I think you take a lot from it, and you try to take all the positives.

Full Leaderboard: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2020

I think it shows you that you can do it at that level, and then obviously you come into these types of tournaments feeling a lot more comfortable compared to 12 months ago when this was my second Rolex Series Event. So obviously it’s a lot different than it was 1 months ago. It shows how quickly things can go in this game and obviously I’m going to try to keep on going.

Q. This time last year when you walked off the course in Abu Dhabi, you were 13th in the world and today you stand in the Top-50. What a difference a year makes?
VICTOR PEREZ: Yeah, it shows everyone that it’s doable and that I can get better. You see guys playing really well, but it’s about me to continue getting better.

Obviously I’m very pleased with where I am, but I think it’s a continuous process, and you always try to learn. This year is going to be brand new again for me like last year was, being my first year on The European Tour last year, and this year I’m going to be getting in some majors. So obviously this will be all new, so it’s learning, and that’s the great thing about golf, you always learn, good or bad, really.

January 19, 2020

Abu Dhabi, UAE

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Team UK

European Tour: Matthew Fitzpatrick Talks Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and 2020 Season

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 19: Matthew Fitzpatrick of England lines up a putt on the on the eighteenth green during the final round on Day Four of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 19, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

European Tour professional Matthew Fitzpatrick speaks with the media about his hot start to the 2020 season as well as recapping his performance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in which he finished in a tie for second place with a score of -17 under par.

European Tour: Matthew Fitzpatrick recaps Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Full Leaderboard: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2020

Q. A final round 67 here in Abu Dhabi, and the incredible Rolex Series performances that you bring continue. How do you feel about today’s performance?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: Good, yeah. Apart from one missed putt, wouldn’t take a shot back, and to come off the golf course, that’s a great feeling, despite not enough to win, it’s been a great week.

Q. It’s very rare that we see you not have two great putting days in a row. It looked like after 2,3, and 4 we were going to see one of those days today?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: Yeah, definitely. Front nine I felt like could I hole everything and managed to hole one putt for par, which was nice to keep a bit of momentum going.

Yeah, just on back nine, just couldn’t make a thing. It was just one of those days, but hey, that’s golf. I’m delighted. It’s a great start to the year, and sort of you’re always a little bit nervous when you come into the start of the year after taking so much time off. So to come back and play as well as I felt I have done is a positiv,e.

Q. You took a share of the lead after 4 and I’m sure would you have noticed on the leaderboard Tommy making a run today. At what point did you think things weren’t turning for you after the turn; that you might pull something or stick to the process?
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK: That Tommy Fleetwood, he’s so annoying. He just comes from everywhere, but yeah, he’s definitely one of those, I have to stick to what I was doing; and he’s probably the most disciplined golfer I’ve ever played with, just picking targets and sticking to them and not even being tempted to be greedy, really.

January 19, 2020

Abu Dhabi, UAE

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Team UK

European Tour: Tommy Fleetwood Talks Closing Round 63 at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 19: Tommy Fleetwood of England tees off on the 16th hole during Day 4 of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 19, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

European Tour and PGA Tour professional Tommy Fleetwood speaks to the media about his final round 63 and his 29th birthday. Fleetwood finished the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a final score of -17 under par and in a tie for second place.

European Tour: Tommy Fleetwood revisits closing round 63 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Q. You’re 29 years old today, one more than that number to the turn, 63 to close. Tell us about it.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: It was good, really good. Felt like the whole week, really, gradually got better. Felt like I struggled on Thursday. Had a really about practice session and played really good Friday when it was really tough conditions. Felt like I played so good yesterday and hit a couple of ropey drives and missed a couple of putts and 5-under was really the worst the could have been and then today just got out and played great, really.

It’s weird, a little disappointed on the last, just got the tee shot way, and even then, the last, the wedge, can’t seem to get it right all these years. But you couldn’t really complain about 63, final day.

Full Leaderboard: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2020

Q. You know how the final few holes are playing. Is 17-under going to be a little shy?
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I don’t want to call it, you never know, but I’m pretty sure. I think Lee obviously looks like he’s playing really, really good, and with sort of — yeah, the way the last four holes played, I think 15 is a nice wind for that pin and it’s always a pretty flat green, and 16, 17, 18, you’re hitting tee shots downwind. Looks like Lee is playing great. I’m happy to have put a weekend’s golf in and it’s a nice start to the year.

Q. Incredible 63 in your final round. You must have felt disheartened that every time you’re making tremendous strides through the field, Lee is making birdies matching yours?
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I think you just concentrate on what you’re doing and every time, every week we play, somebody is going to play great golf and at the moment that’s Lee. I’m very, very happy with my weekend, felt like I played some really good golf.

At the end of the day, golf is very, very difficult and there’s so many top, top players now, I think this week shows the standard when the cut was nearly 2-under and it felt so difficult, and then you always look at the winning score. The winning score is better than what you think it is and to have another good result in these events is great. Just happy with my own performance, and if Lee goes on to do it, then fair play to him.

Q. Is there one part of your game you’re most satisfied about coming back, new tournament, new season?
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I think the week’s been satisfying in a way that I struggled on Thursday, and I think after — I’ve been practicing really well, and Thursday, got out there, didn’t play as well as I wanted to. I said after the round, I think it was good in a sense that the tendencies showed up, I can work on them, come back the next day and try again. As the week progressed, my prep’s been good and my iron play has been brilliant, especially over the weekend, I feel like it’s been as sharp as it has been for the last year and years gone by.

Putted well over the weekend. So the game is progressing. My short game this week, I didn’t make many bogeys; that’s something to be happy with. It’s always the first week of the year, and you never quite know what’s going to turn up, so happy that I performed, happy with how I feel and it was nice getting the juices flowing really, on the last, knowing that I could post a score.

January 19, 2020

Abu Dhabi, UAE

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports