Tommy Fleetwood makes history as he finishes day one top of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

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Tommy Fleetwood leads the way after round one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after a record start.

Fleetwood has struggled in Abu Dhabi in recent years, but he put those struggles behind him on day one this time around.

The Englishman carded a bogey-free 10-under 62 at Yas Links, finishing one shot ahead of Thorbjorn Olesen and Johannes Veerman.

Fleetwood has already looked ahead to the 2025 Ryder Cup, but his focus will now be on continuing his good start in Abu Dhabi on day two.

He fired in eight birdies and an eagle at Yas Links to take the early lead, with Fleetwood looking to close the gap on Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy.

Tommy Fleetwood makes history at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

And he will now be full of confidence in that endeavour, with his birdie on the last helping Fleetwood become a new course record holder.

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As per the DP World Tour, Fleetwood has now equalled Sam Valimaki’s record 62 at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.

How Tommy Fleetwood equalled the Yas Links course record

Fleetwood, a two-time champion of the HSBC, currently occupies fifth place in the Race to Dubai rankings.

And he has made a superb start at Yas Links in his bid to chase down the four-time major champion, with the tournament having moved there from Abu Dhabi Golf Club in 2022.

Fleetwood leads the way after a very stylish opening round that included a particularly lightning-fast start.

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He clinched birdies at the first and third, with an eagle arriving in between, followed by a handful of birdies in the back nine.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship precedes the DP World Tour Championship, which takes place in Dubai next week.