Tommy Fleetwood will take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the 2025 DP World India Championship after making eight birdies and no bogeys in a stunning second-round 64.
The reigning FedExCup Champion started the day four shots behind first-round leader and playing partner Shane Lowry after kicking off his campaign with a 68 on Thursday.
But the Englishman closed the gap on his Ryder Cup team mate, as he fired five birdies on his way to the turn on Friday morning before picking up three more shots coming home to set the clubhouse target at 12 under par.
Fleetwood started his second round from the tenth tee and opened his birdie account from ten feet on the 11th hole. He picked up further shots at the 13th and 15th before reeling off a hat-trick of birdies on the 17th, 18th and first.
A 16-footer on the fourth saw the seven-time DP World Tour winner take the outright lead on 11 under and he finished with an eight-foot birdie at the ninth to keep a stellar chasing pack at bay.
Although a charging Keita Nakajima got close to his score at one stage, no-one in the afternoon was able to catch Fleetwood, who holds a slender advantage at the halfway stage.
He has Major Champions Lowry and Brian Harman breathing down his neck just one shot behind him on 11 under, while Nakajima sits another shot further back in fourth place.
Joost Luiten of the Netherlands and England’s Brandon Robinson Thompson are at nine under, with World Number 12 Ben Griffin and fellow American Michael Kim are amongst the group of seven players at eight under par.
Player Quotes
Tommy Fleetwood: I hit it in the fairway a lot today and gave myself some chances with irons. It’s easy talking about how many things you did well when you shot 8-under, but a really good round of golf.
It’s great. We spoke about it quite a bit out there. It’s just such a unique challenge for all of us. I haven’t hit more than a 5-wood. The one hole where I hit more is 18, but you get to that and you’re like, well, I haven’t hit one, and I don’t really feel that comfortable with it. It’s such a unique challenge, and the greens are firming out a little bit and the pins have been tricky.
It’s been very, very enjoyable. It’s a test of patience when you’re not quite on it because like it’s one of those courses, you get a few of them where you feel — if you hit it good off the tee you’re going to have some short irons and wedges and feel like you’ve always got a chance to get it wrong. It’s such a waiting game. You’ve got to be very patient. It’s been a great test.
Unbelievable three-ball. I think because you’re so comfortable with each other, you do your own thing. I saw the draw — or Shane actually told me about the draw and I was really pleased. It has been a great two days. I feel like if I’m playing with Shane for the next two days, I’m doing something right probably.
