ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 9, 2024

Tommy Fleetwood

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

Q. Finishing with a 71, how would you evaluate today's round?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: It was tough. You could feel the greens starting to get really fast. Struggled with the pace, really. Went through a period where I felt like I couldn't get the ball inside four or five feet.

Had a few 3-putts that were down to a bit of pace on some long putting but actually feel like I played really well. Just started playing like a different golf course towards the end. I don't know, I sort of glanced at the leaderboard. I don't know if the scores reflect that or just me that found it really hard. It's not too bad. Hopefully by the time we finish, I've gained on the leader.

Of course I got off to a good start and I felt like I played really well. So could have been better but at the same time, maybe one of those days where you hang in there when it's not going your way towards the end, and we'll see what happens tomorrow.

Q. It did seem like a day where you didn't have the luck of the greens. 15 and 18 seemed to represent that well. How much different are those last six holes playing today?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: So I had a poor iron shot on 8 and I know how quick that putt is, and that one got away.

On 9, the green seemed really slick. And from that point on, I had a putt on 11 from four feet that was devilish, and the same coming in. Just the speed of the golf course, the wind.

But it was good. It's supposed to be a challenge. I enjoy it. I enjoy battling it out when it's not going your way and it feels like you're on the back foot.

I just felt like I hit good putts today to be honest with you, even the times I three-putted. You were out of pace, but the next ones I felt like I hit good putts. 15 could have gone in. 18 was a beautiful putt that doesn't go in.

But overall, yeah, it was a very different day. Played difficult, and you get what you get.

Q. As it stands you're only three adrift of the leaders. What's it going to mean to you tomorrow to potentially come up with your third Abu Dhabi HSBC title?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: We'll see. I suppose when you're three back it's not quite in your hands, but I'll do a bit of practise now. I'll go out tomorrow, try my best. I'll either play really well, play average or don't play well at all.

But hopefully it's another good day and I continue to show form, and actually find myself up there contending from the back nine. And who knows, I'll just concentrate on my own game and go out there and try my hardest. Hopefully it is my turn.