During an endearing tournament pause in Abu Dhabi last week Dustin Johnson chuckled at Tommy Fleetwood’s expense. That Fleetwood has soared to the summit with an equipment miscellany – Nike fairway woods and irons no longer in production, Callaway wedges, a TaylorMade driver plus Odyssey putter – breaks from convention in this most commercial of times. Johnson pointed out the anomaly. The undertone was of obvious compliment.
Fleetwood was to win, again, in Abu Dhabi, having taken the title last year to begin his run to the top of the European Tour order of merit. Johnson, the world No1, is far from alone in having attention drawn towards the 27-year-old’s rapid rise. Whether linked to the status of golf or the fact Fleetwood is a low-key individual, England is not nearly aware enough of this sporting superstar. Fleetwood tees off at the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday ranked 12th in the world, only one place behind Rory McIlroy, who first encountered Fleetwood in Shanghai five years ago.
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