Fleetwood bids for France double-double

Fleetwood bids for France double-double.

SOUTHPORT hotshot Tommy Fleetwood has his sights set on a double-double at the HNA Open de France, the third Rolex Series event of the year, as he prepares to defend his title from June 28-July 1.

The World No 11 is the first star to confirm his return to Le Golf National, which is also the host venue of the 2018 Ryder Cup, with early bird tickets available until Wednesday March 28.

Fleetwood has already enjoyed a stellar start to his 2018 campaign when he became only the second player to successfully defend his title in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA in January, and now, the 27-year-old is relishing the opportunity to do it all over again in France.

A double-double is now on the  radar as he looks to follow in the footsteps of two-time major winner Graeme McDowell, who was the last player to successfully defend continental Europe’s oldest national Open in 2014.

“Winning the HNA Open de France was a huge boost for me last year and the confidence I got from that victory really propelled me towards some great results and my best year on the European Tour,” said Fleetwood. “I didn’t get the chance to defend the title I won at Gleneagles back in 2013, but with Abu Dhabi going pretty well earlier this year, I’m hoping it is a trend of things to come.”

Fleetwood’s win last year was the first Rolex Series title to his name as he went on to fire a bogey-free final round of 66 to secure a one-shot victory over American Peter Uihlein, and ultimately helped him finish the 2017 season as Europe’s Number One player after being crowned Race to Dubai Champion in Dubai last November.

“Everyone knew the Rolex Series events were major points in the year and if you could do well in those events, then those are the ones that are going to make a difference, so to win one was important. If you could pick one to win over the year you’d pick one of those eight and you’d be very happy.

“At the time, I felt it was my tournament to lose because I was that confident with the way I was hitting it. I still think that is the best my golf swing has felt in my career at the moment.

“As hard as the golf course is, you’ve got the four toughest holes coming in. When you’re the one with everything to lose, that is when you can show everyone who you are and what you are made of. I was very proud of the shots that I hit coming in, even down to that two putt on the last, I did it when I needed to.”