Antalya, Turkey …
Tommy Fleetwood believes he will not only need to win the Race to Dubai title but also one other tournament victory this season if he is to deny Sergio Garcia being voted European Tour ‘Golfer of the Year’ award.
Fleetwood currently enjoys a Euro 886,770 Race to Dubai advantage over Garcia as the young Englishman seeks to be crowned European Tour Number One.
And while Garcia has spoken in recent weeks of his desire to emulate the efforts of the late, great Seve Ballasteros in capturing the No. 1 title, Garcia is odds on in being voted by the Tour as ‘Golfer of the Year’ award on the back of his Masters triumph.
Fleetwood’s rise to the top of the Race to Dubai money list has been helped by two victories this year, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and French Open titles, along with two seconds and five other top-10s.
Tommy Fleetwood looking very relaxed at the Turkish Airlines Open
“The big goal is to win the Race to Dubai title but then if I was to win another tournament over these three weeks then I would feel a lot better about the additional honour of ‘Golfer of the Year’,” said the 26-year old.
“I have won twice this year but then you look at what Sergio has done this year in winning three times and one of those was a Major.
“So while I would love that extra award of ‘Golfer of the Year’ I know if I am to put myself in that position of being honoured then I do have win either one of the last three events and in that same process, win the Race to Dubai title.
“Really, it would just be nice to be thought of as a candidate for ‘Golfer of the Year’ and while Sergio must be a clear favourite it is good to be in the mix.”
In the absence over the next fortnight of Garcia, Fleetwood has the chance to extend his Race to Dubai lead in the $US 7m Turkish Airlines Open and next week’s 2017 penultimate event, the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa.
It means Garcia placing his European No. 1 aspirations on the November 16th starting DP World Tour Championship and something Fleetwood is acutely aware.
“All I can do is the best I can,” said Fleetwood.
“Even without Sergio playing these next week’s there will be pressure but I’m enjoying it.
“Every now and again when I’m playing, it’s hard not to and obviously people want to talk about it and you’ll talk about it then. But you know, it’s just another step, really, as I’m going along.
“I mean, I do want to win. I would be lying if I said I didn’t and it wasn’t that big a thing. But it doesn’t come into your head that often.”
