European Tour

Frittelli sets up Rose rematch with superb 63

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Frittelli acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green
  • Post published:November 18, 2017

Dylan Frittelli equalled his best-ever career round to storm into contention at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, writes WADE PRETORIUS.

The Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates was put to the sword on Saturday – only four players were over par all day – and Frittelli did not miss out as he raced to three-under for the day with three birdies on the bounce. He added another birdie at the seventh to rocket up the leaderboard before the fireworks began on the back nine.

A birdie at the 10th was followed by three pars before the blitz began.

Frittelli hit the 14th green in two and two-putted for birdie, and then followed that with another red number on the short 15th to take the lead in a congested leaderboard that featured compatriot Dean Burmester and Race to Dubai leaders Justin Rose and Jon Rahm.

Frittelli then birdied 17 and 18 to once again hold the lead on his own. Rose joined him on -14 with a four at the 14th before going past Frittelli on the 16, courtesy of a lengthy birdie effort.

Frittelli’s compatriot Burmester powered his way into a share of fourth place alongside Tommy Fleetwood with a bogey-free 65 as he combined his power-hitting off the tee with some good work on the greens.

Frittelli’s 63  – the round of the day – set up an intriguing final round as he faces a rematch with Justin Rose after the Englishman pipped him to the win in Turkey a few weeks back.

Rose was equally splendid with a 65 as he grabbed a one-shot lead – and crucially the advantage in the Race to Dubai – going into Sunday. The Englishman was not punished with his curious decision to go for the 18th green in two, as he saved par with a wonderful up and down.

Had Rose missed his final putt, he would’ve been paired with Race to Dubai challenger Tommy Fleetwood, who got himself back into the picture with eight birdies in his last 11 holes. But now Rose will be last off with Frittelli after the duo played in the third round in Turkey – on that day Rose’s 64 was two better than the South African, before Rose won by one shot. Tomorrow, the rivalry will be renewed with the €1,175,051 first prize waiting in the wings, and Frittelli in confident spirits after the lessons learned over the past few weeks.

Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images