Tommy Fleetwood continues his season this week at the DP World Tour Championship after another impressive showing in Abu Dhabi.
Fleetwood lost in a playoff to Aaron Rai, with both players having finished the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on 25-under.
Rai praised Fleetwood after their exciting playoff, but the latter did come under fire right before the duo went head-to-head.
Fleetwood was accused of gamesmanship by former DP World Tour player Andrew Coltart on Sky Sports, who suggested that he made Rai wait on the 18th tee ahead of their battle.
Tommy Fleetwood reacts after being accused of gamesmanship in Abu Dhabi
Ryder Cup hero Fleetwood has since moved on to the DP World Tour Championship, but he was tasked with discussing the gamesmanship claim when speaking to reporters ahead of the event.
Asked if he was surprised to be accused of gamesmanship, he replied: “I did see the comments, actually, just before.
“It’s one of those things, I don’t know… look, you don’t know in what context it was said. I didn’t hear it. I read it.
“Either way, if there’s a certain side of journalism where, you know, it’s conveyed… I feel like it’s disappointing, and you know, not even to, Andrew, I think very highly of him.
“I think he’s an amazing… I’ve read one little piece and I’m not saying… whether the article was written that way. I’m not going to accuse anybody of meaning anything by it.
“I’m just saying from my point of view, I had just played with Aaron for 36 holes, we are unbelievably close and unbelievably supportive in each other in our careers.
“I was desperate for the toilet, and then as soon as I was finished, I ran to the tee and that was how it happened.
“So yeah, you know, I think everybody knows that I… or I would hope that everybody knows that I wouldn’t do anything like that, and I think the world of Aaron, as well.
“So no, I don’t know how it was written. It’s hard to comment on something or defend yourself on something that you to the extent know in what form it was said or written.
“But like I said, that’s what happened. We walked off the 18th and I was desperate to go to the toilet, I said to Miguel, ‘Can I please go to the toilet?’ He said yes. I ran to the toilet; ran to the tee.”
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Golfing world will know hugely popular Tommy Fleetwood wasn’t playing mind games
Pretty much the entire golfing world knows exactly what Fleetwood is like at this stage, with it being pretty evident that he meant no harm to Rai’s chances of winning their playoff.
Fleetwood is hugely popular on the PGA Tour, not just for his ability on the course but for his character off it.
He was a model professional after suffering several heartaches before finally winning at the Tour Championship for his maiden PGA Tour success.
Fleetwood was again gracious in defeat in Abu Dhabi, epitomised by Rai’s emphatic praise of his fellow professional.
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