Fitzpatrick happy to return to The Earth Course

Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia will try to win the Race to Dubai title and that could take away the main focus from the DP World Tour Championship, reckons Matthew Fitzpatrick, the defending champion at the Jumeirah Golf Estate's The Earth Course.

The English golfer on Tuesday confessed, during a media interaction, that it felt a bit different to come to Dubai as the defending champion. "A little bit, yeah. This is also my first time defending on the same golf course," he said, adding that it was 'kind of exciting' for him.

The 23-year-old golfer also agreed that the focus would be different this time at The Earth Course. "Obviously the main focus is Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose and Sergio (Garcia) trying to win The Race to Dubai. That will take the main focus, there's no doubt about that." said the four-time winner on the European Tour.

Having beaten Tyrell Hatton at the death by a stroke last year for the DP World Tour Championship title, Fitzpatrick obviously has fond memories of The Earth Course. "Yeah, it's great to be back," he quipped when asked how it felt coming back to Dubai as a defending champion.

"Sort of see it all and sort of where it all finished last year on 18. No but could be an exciting week," he added.

Talking about his own game, Fitzpatrick said: "My game's trending nicely, I feel. Sort of the last eight-nine week, been playing really solid and it would be nice to peak again this week, actually, hopefully, that's going to be the case."

In the past Fitzpatrick has demonstrated that, he can play long courses. He, however, revealed on Tuesday that he never felt that The Earth was 7,700 yards long. "I think I played like nine holes - I think I played the back nine when I came here in January. I think just the way that the golf course plays and the way the holes are shaped, I don't think the length, I don't feel like it plays 7,700 yards."

"Obviously, the referees move the tees up and stuff like that, but I just think where certain bunkers are placed, it doesn't really play that length, I guess," he felt.

"I think sort of certainly today, it will be interesting to see how it plays, because I'm sure it's sort of dry and firm as it was last year and the ball runs a long way. I don't think it's too bad," the English golfer opined ahead of the DP World Tour Championship starting from Thursday.

"So I would suggest just drive it and putt it well, and you'll be all right," he said with a chuckle.

"But, I think the fairways are wide enough that you kind of don't have to worry too much off the tee," he said.

"My goal is to make the team, make Thomas's (Bjorn) Ryder Cup Team, basically. Yeah, that is my main aim of the year," he said about his plans for 2018.

Source: Khaleej Times