Tommy Fleetwood uses "backboard" to ignite final-round Nedbank Challenge charge
Tommy Fleetwood is looking for his second win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and luck was shining down on him on the first hole in the final round.
Tommy Fleetwood is having a dry spell on the DP World Tour. His last win came at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2019, so what better way to end this drought than to win again in South Africa this week?
After play was suspended just after 9 am (UK time), the last group of Rasmus Hojgaard, Thomas Detry and LIV Golf player Branden Grace were only five holes into their final round.
Fleetwood had completed seven holes. He and Shubhankar Sharma (-9) were one shot behind Hojgaard (-10) who will be looking to ignite his Ryder Cup qualification campaign at Gary Player CC.
When approaching the first hole on Sunday in Sun City, the Englishman overshot his golf ball by some way, but luckily there was a large spectator stand behind the green.
His golf ball rebounded on to the putting surface, 10 feet from the pin. He couldn't convert the birdie, but he made three birdies in his next five holes as he launched an attack on the leaders.
How's your luck! @TommyFleetwood1 with one of the bounces of the season. #NGC2022 pic.twitter.com/apM029quNa
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 13, 2022
Lightning caused a halt to play and the action was also suspended in round two due to inclement weather. At that stage, Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald shared a surprise lead with Ryan Fox.
On Wednesday, Fleetwood was announced as the captain of the Great Britain and Ireland side that will tee it up in the new Hero Cup against Francesco Molinari's Continental Europe team.
Donald will also preside over the matches as the tournament, to be held in Abu Dhabi in January, was formed for DP World Tour players to get a taste for match play golf.
"Fran and I obviously get on very well so I am sure it will feel a little strange at first being opposing captains, but I think the Hero Cup is a fantastic way for players to compete in team match play, which is something both of us have always relished," Fleetwood said.
"Abu Dhabi has been pretty good to me over the years so hopefully that will continue in January and I look forward to working closely with Fran and Luke, as well as all the players."
