The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is currently underway at Yas Links with a star-studded field. The DP World Tour took to social media to share a compilation of videos showing golfers getting frustrated after bad shots.
Whenever any video from a tournament makes it to social media, it mostly sees a golfer hit their best shots. However, that may not always be the case, as every now and then, even the biggest stars may falter. In the video edit shared by the European Tour, popular golfers like Tommy Fleetwood, Min Woo Lee, among others could be seen being visibly upset by a bad shot at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
English golfer Paul Waring is currently leading the standings with a score of 19-under after the culmination of round 2.
"Just a very different test" - Tommy Fleetwood talks about his struggles at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship ever since it changed venues
British golfer Tommy Fleetwood has won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship twice. However, he has struggled at the tournament ever since it moved from the Abu Dhabi Golf Club to Yas Links in 2022.
He got candid about why exactly that has been the case for him in a press interview before the 2024 edition of the event. According to the 33-year-old, the wind patterns have been the main culprits (via The Golfing Gazette).
"Just a very different test. I think the normal wind goes against, like, a lot of the flow of the holes a lot."
He further added:
"So I think when the wind picks up, and you have the crosswinds, I think it makes it a difficult driving golf course. It’s not narrow at all but when the course plays that firm and with the crosswinds coming up, it’s a tough driving golf course. It’s one of those, I feel like, yeah, there’s definitely opportunities. Of course, there is."
The Englishman however has decided to take the challenge on his chin.
"But I still think it provides a really strong test as well. Not had that much success the last two years. Looking forward to the challenge again. Played it a couple times and feel well prepared. Looking forward to getting out there."
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is the last event on the calendar before the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next week. Fleetwood is currently fifth in the Race to Dubai standings and will be looking to move up in the leaderboard.
Despite placing T3 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October, he was not happy with his performance at the Old Course. He will definitely be looking for a redemption. The golfer is currently placed T2 behind compatriot Paul Waring after the end of round 2 in Abu Dhabi.