DP World India Championship: Flawless Fleetwood takes sole lead at halfway stage

Tommy Fleetwood followed up a steady opening round of 68 with an impeccable, bogey-free eight-under 64 to take sole lead at the halfway stage of the DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi on Friday.

Englishman Fleetwood, grouped with his Ryder Cup captain and compatriot Luke Donald and Ireland’s Shane Lowry, totalled 12-under for two days to take over the top spot. The Irishman slid to tied second with four birdies and a bogey on the 18th for a two-day total of 133, one adrift of the clubhouse leader. Brian Harman too bettered his opening day score from 68 to 65.

Harman stayed level with Fleetwood for the longest time but was unable to match up to the latter’s flawless performance with a single dropped shot on the 13th, enough to push him down a spot. Fleetwood, pleased with his performance, nevertheless admitted there was no scope to take things easy.

Rory McIlroy’s struggles on the course continued.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

“It’s such a unique challenge for all of us. The greens are firming out a little bit and the pins have been tricky. It’s been very enjoyable. It’s a test of patience when you’re not quite on it because it’s one of those courses where you feel if you hit it good off the tee you’re going to feel like you’ve always got a chance of going on a run. It’s such a waiting game. You’ve got to be very patient. It’s been a great test.”

First-round leader Lowry had a steady round but played a lot safer, content with staying within reach and not being too aggressive on the holes for an 11-under score while Rory McIlroy’s struggles on the course continued, the World No. 2 being in an eight-way tie for 17th with an identical Day Two score of 69 for a two day total of 138.

Shubhankar Sharma, meanwhile, was the best Indian in the field, recovering from a disappointing 74 on the opening day for a six-under 66 on Day Two for a four-under 140 at midway even as the cut, applied at two-under and ties, saw five making the weekend rounds.

Published on Oct 17, 2025