Record equaled for Fleetwood, Saddier and Langasque best French in Abu Dhabi…

On an almost harmless Yas Links, the field of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship had a field day this Thursday. Tommy Fleetwood joined the Finnish Sami Välimäki in the record books, author in January 2023 of a sublime 62 (-10). Adrien Saddier and Romain Langasque settled for a solid 67 (-5). The two Tricolores are in the top 20 (18th).

L.V.

Admittedly, the heat didn't help much (over 30 degrees) – ask Antoine Rozner what he thinks about it – but the absence of wind for almost the entirety of this first lap on the Yas Links of Abu Dhabi resulted in 66 of the 70 players present for this first of the two playoff tournaments for the 2023-24 season of DP World Tour posted a map under par.

Find the complete ranking and tee times for the 2nd round

The palm goes here to Tommy Fleetwoodauthor of a magnificent 62 (-10) without the slightest error on the horizon. The Englishman, new TaylorMade putter in hand, took the opportunity to join the Finn in “tournament history” Sami Välimäkiowner since the 4th round of the 2023 edition of the record for this par 72, 6,790 meters long. Double winner of this tournament (2017, 2018), when he was still competing on theAbu Dhabi Golf Resortthe current 10th player in the world confirms that he feels at home in the Emirates.

For example, he set up his academy there, in Dubai, on the Jumeirah Golf Estateshost of the Race final in a week (DP World Tour Championship). And it was again in Dubai that he signed his final victory on the European Tour. It was last January 14, on the Dubai Creek Resortau Dubai Invitationaloffering himself at the photo finish the scalp of Rory McIlroy (and also that of Tristan Lawrence).

In the final round, the Southport golfer quickly took stock of this layout designed by Kyle Phillips starting with two birdies and an eagle on the first three holes. -5 on the way out, -5 on the way back. Expert work (only 26 putts, 94.4% of greens in regulation!) which allows him to be a step ahead of the Dane Thorbjørn Olesen and the American Johannes Veerman.

Undisputed leader of the Race, Rory McIlroyhe started his week with a good 67 (-5) weighted by a single bogey (on the par 3 of the 17th). The current world No. 3, always impressive on his faceoffs, is in 18th place, just like Adrien Saddier et Romain Langasque. The two French people whose mission between Thursday and Sunday is to enter respectively the top 52 of the Race and the top 10 not yet exempt for the PGA Tour 2025. On the evening of the first round, they were both projected 66th (+9) and 19th (-4) in this same Race.

Everything was good. Even putting performed better than in recent weeks.

Adrien Saddier at the Golf+ microphone

« It feels good to start the tournament like thisunderlines Adrien Saddier at the microphone of our colleagues from Golf+. I need a big week (to enter the top 52). -5, a very solid game from 1 to 18 (six birdies, un bogey). Everything was good. Even putting performed better than in recent weeks. Very good start then. I knew my game was good, I left without expectations and that's what has been my strength lately. This allows me to see things coming better. And when we do things well, we play well! »

David Ravetto, a danger…

He is also concerned to remain in the top 52 qualifying for the final, Ugo Coussaud did perfectly well with an immaculate 68 (-4). Angoumoisin appears in 28th place. He is projected 44th (-2) in the Race…

On the crest line like his compatriot, David Ravetto was, however, unable to do better than a 71 (-1). The Racingman occupies 55th place but is above all projected 50th in the Race… Fortunately for him, the absence of a cut this week will allow him, we are convinced, to rectify the situation until Sunday!

Le leaderboard

The French leaderboard

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