An underrated superstar, Justin Rose's experience shows in showdown with Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood's season-long dominance in the Race to Dubai is under threat after a nervy opening round at Jumeirah Golf Estates
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Your support makes all the difference.It wasn’t just about the eagle from the greenside bunker at 14, or the sensational approach shot that posted Justin Rose to within two feet of the 18th hole. This was another round of golf from a man at the top of his game, hunting down a younger, more nervous rival.
Tommy Fleetwood came to Dubai with a 256,000-point lead over Rose in the European Tour money list and, partnered with his closest competitor on the first day of the DP World Tour Championship, he returns to the clubhouse more concerned, but more determined than ever.
Rose trounced his partner Fleetwood, shooting a near flawless 66 to finish the first day of this season-closing event joint-second. Fleetwood’s 73 leaves him seven shots adrift with Rose only needing to better his compatriot’s finish to take the $1.25m prize. Sergio Garcia, the only other realistic competitor, is four shots off Rose and must win the whole event to have a chance.
It has been ten years since a 27-year-old Rose won the European Order of Merit, a victory that came in a nail-biting playoff with Simon Dyson and Soren Kjeldsen at the Volvo Masters but which secured the Johannesburg-born right-hander a place among golf's elite, making him the world's highest-ranked European.
That experience appeared to help when he was paired with his direct rival for a decade-on repeat, while Fleetwood’s inexperience and nerves were obvious from hole one in Dubai.
Fleetwood, who has led the rankings for most the year, admitted he had been nervous and admitted the first hole when he was playing for “the biggest achievement” of his career was “a comedy of errors".
A double bogey made that obvious.
"My round looks a lot worse because I was playing with Rosey who never missed a putt," said the 26 year-old.
"Suddenly it is out of my hands but I am going to have to shoot something really low tomorrow but 54 holes is a lot of holes."
For Rose, who can now fairly be cast as the wily old veteran when contrasted with the buccaneering young talent rivalling him for top spot, keeping a level head will prove crucial.
"I have to put the scenarios out of my mind an just win the tournament," Rose said. "I'm really happy because I wanted to come out with good intent. I don't think I missed a green, apart from the 17th when I was just off the edge."
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