Staff WriterTommy Fleetwood has wrestled control of the 2025 DP World India Championship, firing a flawless second-round 64 to take a one-shot lead heading into the weekend.
On a layout that has been chewing up scorecards like a paper shredder, Fleetwood made it look like a Sunday stroll through Southport—eight birdies, zero bogeys, and a clinic in patience and precision.
The reigning FedExCup Champion began the day four shots off the pace set by Shane Lowry, but by lunchtime he was sitting pretty at 12-under-par, looking entirely unbothered by the chaos unfolding around him. Call it rhythm, call it class—Fleetwood calls it golf done properly.
“I hit it in the fairway a lot today and gave myself some chances with irons,” Fleetwood said as if he’d merely jogged around a park. “It’s easy talking about how many things you did well when you shot 8-under, but a really good round of golf.”
Starting from the 10th tee, Fleetwood birdied the 11th, 13th and 15th before rattling off three in a row around the turn—17, 18, and 1—like he was rolling downhill.
A tidy 16-footer at the 4th gave him the outright lead, and he capped off the day with a final red number at the 9th from eight feet. No drama, no panic—just relentless execution.
A Unique Test in India
Fleetwood couldn’t help but marvel at the tournament’s brutal but brilliant setup at this year’s DP World India Championship.
“It’s just such a unique challenge for all of us,” he said. “I haven’t hit more than a 5-wood… you get to 18 and you’re like, well, I haven’t hit one, and I don’t really feel that comfortable with it. The greens are firming out a little bit and the pins have been tricky.”
If that sounds like complaining, it wasn’t. Fleetwood was very clearly enjoying himself.
“It’s been very, very enjoyable. It’s a test of patience… if you hit it good off the tee you’re going to have some short irons and wedges and feel like you’ve always got a chance to get it wrong. It’s such a waiting game. You’ve got to be very patient. It’s been a great test.”
Lowry, Harman, Nakajima Close Behind
Fleetwood may be on top, but the hunters are world-class. Ryder Cup mate Shane Lowry and gritty American Brian Harman lurk just a shot back at 11-under.
Lowry admitted his day came in fits and starts:
“I got off to a bit of a slow-ish start… made a stupid bogey on the par 5 from the middle of the fairway. Quite frustrated around the turn. But I felt like I finished well, and I played some nice golf on the way in.”
Harman, meanwhile, treated the course like an engineering puzzle:
“It’s a pretty tough course to learn, really… there’s some really awkward tee shots… It’s a little bit like an Open. You have to fit some shots into some places.”
Japan’s Keita Nakajima sits two shots back at 10-under, still smiling despite his driver occasionally wandering left like a lost tourist.
“It was tough. So many tee shots were going to the left but I have played with patience,” he said. “I love India. I love Indian golf fans… when I come to India, I can play well.”
The Chase Pack
Behind them, two Europeans are quietly creeping into contention: Joost Luiten and Brandon Robinson Thompson at 9-under. A logjam follows at 8-under, featuring World No. 12 Ben Griffin and American Michael Kim among others.
Fleetwood vs Lowry – Part III?
Fleetwood is loving the company this week—especially alongside old pal Lowry.
“Unbelievable three-ball,” he said of their opening two rounds. “I feel like if I’m playing with Shane for the next two days, I’m doing something right probably.”
If that’s the case, golf fans might be in for one hell of a duel over the weekend. Fleetwood looks sharp, Lowry looks hungry, and the DP World India Championship is shaping up into exactly what golf needs: a proper fight between proper players.
Brace yourself—this is only half done.
