Loving father Fleetwood wins DP World India C’ship for son Frankie

DP World India Championship winner Tommy Fleetwood of England on the 18th green of the Delhi Golf Club with his son Frankie on Sunday. Image courtesy of DPWIC.

By Rahul Banerji

FedEx Cup champion and Ryder Cup winner Tommy Fleetwood engraved his name on the beautiful crystal trophy of the inaugural DP World India Championship with a comprehensive win at the Delhi Golf Club on Sunday.

Fleetwood finished two shots behind Japan’s Keita Nakajima and was by the same margin, finishing ahead of his son Frankie and an adoring crowd who had followed his fate from the tee.

The 34-year-old Englishman’s 7 under par 65 gave him a tournament total of 22 under 266 against a 20 under 268 from Nakajima, who returned a bogey-free 69 on the day.

Delhi marked Fleetwood’s eighth DP World Tour title and within a year he scored a breakthrough PGA Tour victory in the Tour Championship at East Lake in August and away victory in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York last month.

The Englishman had to outplay the hard-charging Daniel Hillier until the Kiwi’s run of eight birdies over the first ten holes ended with a double bogey-bogey sequence at holes 14 and 15.

Take off

Fleetwood’s round started on hole seven, from where he reeled off four birdies in a row to take the lead and was never challenged again, although he needed a good up-and-down on 11 to keep his round on track.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry, England’s Alex Fitzpatrick and South African Thriston Lawrence were tied for third at 18-under 270.

Without actually saying much, Fleetwood dedicated the victory to his son Frank after the win.

“So we were at home last week, I think we were playing golf together, and he just randomly said, ‘You know what you’ve never done?’

“’You’ve never won a tournament and I was able to run to the 18th green.’

“I had that written down all week. There will be many more moments where I hopefully get the opportunity to do that. But that was like all day today, I was thinking about if I could put myself in a position where I can actually make that moment happen.”

“It’s just one of those little things that means a lot to me. It means so much to me. That was really cool. That’s what I wanted to do all day.”

The star of DGC

DGC’s own Shiv Kapur (68) finished in 32nd place at 9 under as the top-ranked Indian.

Dhruv Sheoran (72) at 8 under tied for 36th, while Anirban Lahiri (71) and Shubhankar Sharma (74) were tied for 56th and Abhinav Lohan (72) was T63 at 1-under 287.

Hero Indian Open winner in 2024 and runner-up this year Nakajima was a brave second on a day when his flawless iron play went off the boil, as did his touch on the greens.

He still preferred to look at the positive sides.

“It was a great week. I had a bogey-free weekend and played with Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood. That’s a special moment for me, and I’m so honored to be playing in the top field.”

“This year there were so many tough challenges, but we persevered with the team and made a good comeback in India. India is definitely my favorite country. Maybe win next year.”

Also read: India-happy Keita Nakajima sets up title bid at Delhi Golf Club

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