The course at the DP World India Championship has captured the imagination of the golfers who have played there this week.
It’s been a unique challenge for some of the best golfers in the world. Delhi Golf Club is so narrow that players have been unable to hit their drivers, fearing that their ball may nestle in the undergrowth of the Indian jungle.
The India Championship has been a refreshing change of pace from the course we typically see on the PGA Tour. The thick trees lining either side of the fairways mean that players have to think their way around the course, instead of overpowering it.
That’s played into the hands of Tommy Fleetwood, who is one of the most accurate iron players in the game. The Englishman has been in contention from the opening round by finding fairways and greens in regulation consistently. He’s in the final pairing alongside Keita Nakajima on Sunday.
Fleetwood praised the challenge that the course has given him this week, but he made an intriguing comparison with one of the most iconic courses in the world, Augusta National.
Tommy Fleetwood says Delhi Golf Club reminds him of Augusta National
Modern golf courses have fewer and fewer trees, deemphasizing the need for creative shot shaping and conservative play off the tee. Take what Keegan Bradley did to Bethpage Black at the Ryder Cup. There was no penalty for wayward tee shots because of the short rough and lack of trees.
That was a complaint from Scottie Scheffler, who said modern courses need more trees to challenge players when they approach the green, and to impose a penalty for bad shots.
Because of the nature of the golf course in Delhi, Fleetwood is faced with an intriguing dilemma on Sunday. He’s two shots back of the lead, but would risk playing his way out of the tournament if he is overaggressive.
He said the risk/reward factor is too heavily weighted towards risk for him to approach the course any other way but conservatively, which reminds him of Augusta National.
Fleetwood explained, “I just don’t think the course allows you to be that aggressive. I think the pins again today were pretty tucked. I felt like the pins yesterday were a bit easier to get to.
“You just have to keep playing the course how it allows you to play. I think the two courses are worlds apart, but I feel like Augusta is very similar in that you can only hit the shot that the course gives you, and I feel like this is very similar, and I think there are a few courses around the world that do that.
“So it just stops you from being aggressive. You have to play the right shots at the right time, and if you have a wedge in your hand, you’re going to have to try and be a bit more aggressive and take it on a little bit.”
This course rewards patience, and Fleetwood’s will be tested in his final round if he still trails on the back nine.
Tommy Fleetwood says how he can win the India Championship from two shots back
Fleetwood led the India Championship after Friday’s play, but after a difficult day on the greens during his third round, he’s now two shots back.
But the ever-positive Fleetwood decided to reflect on what he did well out there, and how he can reclaim the lead and take victory on Sunday.
He said, “I’ve done so much good so far, like you say. I felt like there was a good stretch, even though I felt like I was holing putts for par, I felt like I was playing really, really well through the front nine.
“Felt really controlled, felt like I was playing great, and outside of the back end there, played lovely. Focus on that really good stuff and know that if I play like that, I’ve got a really good chance of scoring and shooting a good round.
“Two behind is kind of close enough where I’m still in control of it a little bit. Keita is not far enough ahead where he’s completely in control.
“Just go into tomorrow, enjoy it. Final group is always great. You’ve got to enjoy those moments. You don’t know when they’re going to come again. Looking forward to that. It’s been a great tournament. Just hopefully go out and enjoy it and play well.”
Now that Fleetwood has won on the PGA Tour, he can bring a new level of confidence down the stretch on Sunday. He’s played like the best player at the tournament this week, now he just needs to fight back and seal the win.
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