It is unclear whether Matt Fitzpatrick developed a fondness for sand when he was a child but the great anomaly of a golfer from Sheffield and recurring desert success continues. Fitzpatrick has played 10 rounds at the DP World Tour Championship and has not been outside the top 10 at the conclusion of any of them. Twelve months ago, Fitzpatrick endorsed his Dubai speciality when snatching victory from the grasp of Tyrrell Hatton.
The 23-year-old Fitzpatrick was at it again on Friday. Perhaps the sight of Hatton, who produced a stunning 63 to move to nine under, inspired the Yorkshireman once more. Fitzpatrick’s 67 means he leads the field on 10 under with 36 holes to play.
“I won here last year I’ve got nothing to lose,” Fitzpatrick said. “It would be nice to defend but you know the odds when you’re coming back into the tournament and there’s great players at the top of the leaderboard already.
“I think the only thing I would say is I did win last year and that probably gives me a little bit more confidence than everyone else. I’m just looking forward to the weekend and delighted I could put myself in position.”
Hatton has revenge on his mind. He stumbled badly at the 72nd hole in 2016 when victory looked a formality. He is also looking to endorse what already looks a safe position among Europe’s Ryder Cup team for 2018 – wins at the Dunhill Links Championship and Italian Open have lifted him to second in the rankings.
“Yesterday I was struggling with cramps in my back and a horrific blister on my foot,” Hatton said. “It’s just the blister now, so a spoonful of cement at dinner and I’ll be alright tomorrow.” This, apparently, is urban slang for discovering a little courage.
Tommy Fleetwood used the morning to jab back at Justin Rose, with the pair in pursuit of the European Order of Merit title. Rose started the second round with a seven-stroke lead over Fleetwood who responded with a 65 to move six under at halfway. Rose’s 70 means he is only two ahead of Fleetwood and sharing third place.
“At least my name is somewhere now, rather than the wrong end of the leaderboard,” Fleetwood said. “You’re always disappointed when you don’t shoot a good score but I still didn’t count myself out of the tournament. If I had shot the same score today, then I would, but luckily I got a good one.”
