Not Rory McIlroy or the Other Ryder Cup Comrades: Unfazed Tommy Fleetwood Witnesses BMW PGA Championship’s Most Difficult Foe

The game of golf is full of unpredictability and unprecedented challenges. An equivalent ball game was encountered by Tommy Fleetwood and his Ryder Cup mate, Rory McIlroy, on the second day of the 2023 BMW PGA Championship. While the competition in itself was already quite demanding, the extraneous factors added to the excitement of the game, especially during the final moments.

This challenge proved to be more stimulating than the actual task of battling the greens and surpassing the competitors. Fleetwood, during his recent interview, shared insight on the difficulty level of the obstacle as he acknowledged the unusual nature of it. However, his view on the matter at hand showcased how a trial might lead to a “good day on a course.”

Tommy Fleetwood promulgates unforeseen challenges at the Wentworth Club

Tommy Fleetwood was hit by a rather unanticipated opposition at the latest round of the BMW PGA Championship. When the golfer was getting ready for the second round, the sky at the course had turned pretty dark priorly, making it highly bothersome to play in the tough situation. The option of playing either early morning the next day or continuing the same evening was offered to the golfers.

However, in Fleetwood’s case, through a press conference afterward, it was revealed that his choice was made more by the golfer alongside him. The revelation goes back to the reporter who asked the English professional how much of a relief not having to come back early morning to the field would be.

Fleetwood explained it to be a one of its kind sort of situation where it’s so dark that even the game gets affected by it. He divulged about standing with Adam Scott and Billy Horschel while awaiting his turn to be back for the shot. However, it was Tom Kim who unintentionally made the decision for the 32-year-old to finish off his day’s play by letting him go ahead of him on 18.

Many others had their Round 2 suspended and scheduled for the morning time the next day. 6-times European Tour Winner revealed about the difficulty of the decision as well, stating, ” I did say, is it easier 7:00 in the morning or is it easier now, the shot.” However, matters paved out well for the golfer after the fellow players helped him make up his mind.

Currently at T3 on the leaderboard of the tournament, just 1 shot behind the top spot holders, Fleetwood shot birdies on 2 of his last holes of the round, including the aforementioned 18th hole. Despite his exceptional display of skills on the green, the golf star expressed about never having been in such a situation ever before.

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“I don’t think I’ve ever finished in that pitch black,” was the comment from the Englishman’s side. It was quickly followed by an added word of gratitude for the screen available in the last shot, making the achievement seem facile from his side. Not only him, but there were several other players including his fellow Ryder Cup mates who faced the brunt of the out-of-hand occurrence.

Rory McIlroy encounters a similar confrontation on the greens as Fleetwood

The second round on Friday was already full of chaos, given how the play was delayed due to fog in the morning. However, what players thought might be a normal gameplay venture turned out to be a “s***show“, per Rory McIlroy. The intensity of fog was replaced in the evening by a case of fading light, which once again threatened the completion of the round.

Even though that is exactly what was carried out as some of the players will complete their round 2 early in the morning on Saturday, Rory McIlroy isn’t one of them. The 4-time major winner found himself in front of a large screen with bright light compensating for the natural illumination.

Consequently, his last shot on the 18th hole expected a birdie out of the golfer to remain in contention. And that is precisely what the Northern Irishman delivered! Despite the difficulty of the set darkness and the challenge of making the cut, McIlroy managed to hold his nerves and finish at 1-under par.

While the challenge of Day 2 is over, the excitement from the game is far from it. With rounds 3 and 4 to commence, the golf world has a lot more to anticipate out of the strokeplay. What do you think of this unpredictable situation encountered by Fleetwood? Do you think he was able to handle the situation well? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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