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Tommy Fleetwood has an enviable collection of scorecards from some of the world’s best courses detailing special rounds on big occasions when he’s totally dismantled those fabled venues. Now, he can add lovely Harding Park.
All but overlooked in the build-up to the 102nd USPGA Championship, the 29 year old Englishman vaulted to the centre of attention following a brilliant second round 64 on Friday that left him on the shoulder of the early halfway leader, Haotong Li from China.
Fleetwood’s six under par round wasn’t quite in the class of the 63 in the final round of the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, or as historically significant as the 63 to set a course record at Carnoustie.
Tommy Fleetwood put himself into contention at the USPGA Championship on Friday
He had a brilliant second round shooting 64 that leaves him on the shoulder of the leader
But, if he goes on Sunday to become the first Englishman to win this title in more than century, it’s fair to say it will be looked upon with even more affection.
As ever with the Southport man when he’s in one of these moods, it was an absolute masterclass of ball striking on a course that places a premium on accuracy and hitting greens, and so plays to all his strengths.
‘I feel that my game is getting better by the day since I started playing again a couple of weeks ago,’ he said. ‘I’ve shot 64 and it’s a major, so it’s all good.’ Fleetwood wasn’t the only Englishman on the upper reaches of the leaderboard at lunchtime on the second day.
Paul Casey responded spiritedly to finishing his first round with a double bogey to card a classy 67 that left him in a tie for third place following the morning wave, just one shot behind Fleetwood and three off the lead.
‘It was a glorious morning for golf and I played really well,’ said the gregarious 43 year old, who admitted that he had struggled with the sterile post-lockdown atmosphere with no fans. ‘It’s just felt really flat to me, I’ve missed them plain and simple,’ he added.
Casey has fallen from 12th in the world to 28th on the back of a barren run featuring just one top ten in more than a year. This was more like it, as he finished on the same mark as Americans Brendon Todd, who has bounced back impressively from his final round collapse in Memphis last week, and Cameron Champ, so long off the tee he can give Bryson DeChambeau a run for his money.
As for the irrepressible 26 year old, DeChambeau shot a second round 70 and on two under par is still in touch.
The heavyweight Californian broke one driver on Thursday when he leant on it – to be fair, the implement was weakened considerably from being lashed continuously at nearly 200mph – and will need to becalm the replacement over the weekend to have a chance.
Fleetwood closed the gap to China’s Haotoni Li who has been leading the field at half-way
Li’s career has stalled since he missed a tiddler in extra holes to lose the Turkish Airlines Open to Justin Rose in October, 2018. From being saddled with the dreaded mantle of the Asian Tiger Woods, he came to this event having fallen outside the world’s top 100.
This, however, has been a 36 hole reminder of his gifts, as he built on his opening 67 with a wonderful 65 to set a stringent halfway total of eight under par. With the wind expected to pick up for later starters like Tiger, Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy, there was every chance he would remain on top at the end of play.
‘I came here with no expectations and so I’ve been able to play without any stress,’ said Li. That’s certainly about to change.
It was rather forgotten in the tumult of Shane Lowry’s euphoria at the last major to be staged at Portrush 13 months ago that the runner-up Fleetwood left the theatre nursing his biggest disappointment. He knew he hadn’t done himself justice, hadn’t pushed the Irishman as hard as he should.
It was nine months before he could bring himself to watch the final round again, but he knew it was the perfect motivating tool when it came to putting blissful family life to one side and focusing on getting ready to play majors again.
Paul Casey responded well in the second-round with a 67 putting him in joint-third position
‘It was very hard to watch, even after such a long time, but I’m glad I put myself through it,’ he said recently.
While DeChambeau was dominating the post-lockdown conversation, Fleetwood sat the first few events out. It was all about getting ready for this week, and he gave a hint that he was coming to the boil nicely with a final round 65 last Sunday.
Fleetwood had a disappointing end to his first round, spilling late shots to fall from four under at one point all the way back to level par.
A fast start was required on day two – and he duly got it with a fabulous front nine played in 31 shots.
It begged the question of whether we were about to witness another of those Fleetwood specials, the rounds in the low 60s that have punctuated his career. A 64 was certainly close enough. He’s swinging beautifully and looks in complete control.
Portrush wasn’t his only near miss when it comes to majors, of course. He finished runner-up to Brooks Koepka in one US Open and fourth in another.
All a player can do is keep giving himself chances, and Fleetwood has a golden one this weekend beside the Golden Gate Bridge.
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