Tommy Fleetwood’s second place at the WGC-Mexico Championship was one of several eye-catching performances by former European Challenge Tour stars as they lit up the global stage in Mexico City.
Dustin Johnson may have underlined his credentials as World Number One with an impressive victory at Chapultepec Golf Club but the 32 year old was pushed all the way by a number of Europeans – most notably 2011 Challenge Tour Number One Fleetwood.
The Englishman had plenty of work to do after opening rounds of 69 and 70, but after a five under par third round of 66, the 26 year old went into the final day with a fighting chance of catching 54-hole leader Justin Thomas.
After reaching the turn in 34, the man from Southport came alive over the back nine with four birdies, including one of the shots of the day on the 18th– a remarkable 40 foot putt to reach 13 under par overall and keep the pressure on Johnson.
Tommy Fleetwood!
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 5, 2017
A 40ft putt to move 1 off the lead! pic.twitter.com/ruf6pJvi3L
Fleetwood would finish in solo second, extending his lead at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, while one shot behind him in a tie for third place was compatriot Ross Fisher, who graduated from the Challenge Tour in 2005.
The 36 year old also produced some final day heroics, finishing with three consecutive birdies on his way to signing for a six under par 65.
The five-time European Tour champion, who was part of the victorious 2010 European Ryder Cup team, is now up to 55thplace in the world – putting him firmly in contention for a place at next month’s Masters Tournament.
Thomas Pieters, who made six Challenge Tour appearances in 2014, took a share of fifth place after a three under par closing round of 68, while Tyrrell Hatton, who graduated from Europe’s top developmental tour in 2013, put in another strong showing across the Atlantic with a tied tenth place finish.
Pieters is now the highest-ranked Belgian golfer in history, moving into the top 30 of the Official World Golf Ranking with this result, while Hatton remains firmly inside the top 20 – and with performances like this on golf’s biggest stages, both men will only be looking upwards.
Phil Mickelson, whose Challenge Tour record reads played one, won one after he triumphed at the Tournoi Perrier Paris in 1993, shared seventh place with Brandt Snedeker and World Number Three Rory McIlroy, who memorably also made one appearance on Europe’s top developmental tour when he teed it up in Egypt in 2010.
