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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Nothing gets you ready for Ryder Cup: Fleetwood

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Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France: Tommy Fleetwood said that “nothing” can get you ready to play in the Ryder Cup, after starring on his first day in the competition as Europe whitewashed the foursomes to lead the USA 5-3. The affable Englishman teamed up with British Open champion Francesco Molinari on Friday at Le Golf National, and they were the only pairing to deliver two points. “You can’t prepare for it, really,” said world number 12 Fleetwood. “We were walking down 6 and we said, ‘sounds a little bit better this afternoon’, and the energy that comes off those guys going in front, I don’t really know how to describe it.


“All the preparation you do, just nothing gets you ready for this.”


It was a doubly special day for the 27-year-old, as he followed his inspirational displays on the course by heading back to his hotel to join his son’s first-birthday celebrations.


“That’s a pretty special thing for him and for Clare (Fleetwood’s wife),” Bjorn said. “That’s been agreed a long way in advance that was going to happen.”


Fleetwood and Molinari snatched Europe their first point in the morning fourballs by fighting back to beat Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods, sending the 14-time major champion to defeat on his Ryder Cup return after a six-year absence.


They will take on Woods and Reed again on Saturday, after being drawn together for the fourballs once more.


“You’ve got a former French Open champion and the Open champion,” said Bjorn of his gun pairing.


“They just love playing to each other. I think they just have a very special bond and relationship, and they have for a long time, and they love being on the golf course together.”


Italian Molinari said he was delighted to be alongside Fleetwood after winning his first-ever full Ryder Cup point in his third appearance at the matchplay showdown.


“Finally. I love him. What can I say? I love him. It’s been nice,” gushed the 35-year-old.


The pair thrashed Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth 5 and 4 in the afternoon to round off the clean sweep.


Molinari had managed only two halves in his previous Ryder Cup appearances in 2010 and 2012, although one of those came against Woods in the final match of the ‘Miracle at Medinah’. “It’s nice to see Francesco, he’s played in two Ryder Cups and he’s never been right at the front of everything,” added Bjorn. “But he certainly has stood up today and showed why he won an Open Championship and why he’s a force to be reckoned with in the world of golf.” — AFP


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