DP World Tour Championship Leaderboard
28-year-old Frenchman Victor Perez started the week sixth on The Race to Dubai but finished the day on course to become the first French player to end the year as European Number One, as he opened up with a -5 67.
There is still a long way to go over Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course, however, with a host of big names hot on Perez's heels.
England's Matthew Fitzpatrick, Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and South African Erik Van Rooyen all opened with four under par rounds of 68, with two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer, 2017 Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood, three-time Rolex Series winner Tyrrell Hatton and Finland's Sami Välimäki a shot further back.
Patrick Reed, looking to become the first American to top the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex after starting the week in first place, remains well in contention after birdieing the last to sign for a two under 70
“As always on these tough courses, tough pins today, they really put up a good setup with some of the pins,” said Perez, who has twice finished as a runner-up in Rolex Series events this season.
“It was just about holing a few good putts, driving the ball well, doing everything fairly well but obviously making a few putts, which you need those type of days.
“In the position I'm in, I have nothing to lose. I have everything to gain. So for me it's really a going-for-it mentality that I have to keep for four rounds. Obviously you still have to play proper golf and hit the right shots and sometimes take your medicine, but again, I have really nothing to lose, and it's a matter of making a lot of birdies."
Reed began the week with a 460-point lead over Fleetwood in the standings, but with 2,000 points on offer to the winner it is mathematically possible for 61 of the 65-man field to finish top of the money list and claim the Harry Vardon Trophy.
My thoughts : With the European Tour fighting to keep it's marquee players in at least their Rolex Series events that carry US equivalent $7m purses, many are critical of, especially defending champion Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia not showing up to support the tour at this season finale, especially when several of them have accepted 7 figure appearance fees to play in the Saudi International in February, a non Rolex series event, backed by what manty see as a questionable regime with the world's deepest pockets.
Bryan Angus (courtesy europeantour.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment