NEW DELHI (AP) — Tommy Fleetwood’s outstanding year became even more remarkable Sunday when he managed four consecutive birdies around the halfway point and finished with a 7-under 65 for a two-stroke triumph over Keita Nakajima in the India Championship.
Fleetwood had reason to celebrate for the third instance in the past three months — the FedEx Cup title achieved with his initial win on U.S. territory, the highest points-scorer in another victory for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup and now his initial European Tour victory of the year.
Nakajima possessed a two-stroke advantage to commence the concluding round at Delhi Golf Club and maintained a bogey-free performance. However, he struggled to maintain pace with Fleetwood, who achieved four successive birdies commencing at the par-3 seventh, transforming a two-stroke deficit into a two-stroke advantage.
“I believe that despite all the positive occurrences this year, a few aspects have been disappointing,” stated Fleetwood, who had not secured a victory on the European Tour previously. “Another victory feels incredible.”
Even following another memorable Ryder Cup moment, the 34-year-old from England felt he had further achievements to accomplish this year, and securing a victory on the European Tour — his eighth career tour victory — was a high priority. Fleetwood, despite his accomplishments on the PGA Tour this year, remained ineligible for the concluding two events on the European schedule.
However, he is now eligible. The victory propels him from No. 94 to No. 25 in the Race to Dubai standings, rendering him eligible for the Abu Dhabi Championship and the season-concluding Tour Championship in Dubai.
Most satisfying for Fleetwood was witnessing his 8-year-old son, Frankie, sprint onto the 18th green following his tap-in for par, concluding at 22-under 266.
Recently, during a round of golf, Fleetwood mentioned that his son informed him that he had never secured a victory in a tournament where his son could run onto the green to celebrate with him.
“Throughout the day, I kept thinking, ‘Could I position myself to make that happen?'” Fleetwood expressed. “It’s one of those small details that holds great significance for me. It means a great deal to me. That was truly amazing. That’s what I desired to accomplish all day.”
Nakajima encountered challenges with precision off the tee during the latter stages of the final round when he needed to recover ground, although he managed to sink enough putts to remain competitive. He shot 69 and advanced into the top 10 on the roster of European Tour players eligible for PGA Tour cards in the upcoming year.
Shane Lowry (68), Thriston Lawrence (65), and Alex Fitzpatrick (67) shared third place at 270.
Rory McIlroy, participating in India for the first time in his professional career, birdied his concluding hole for a 71, concluding in a tie for 26th position, 11 strokes behind Fleetwood.
