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Hong Kong Open: Tommy Fleetwood wipes away tears and starts new Race to Dubai campaign

  • Englishman was emotional after missing out on a second Race to Dubai title
  • He tees off with Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez at Fanling

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Patrick Reed (left), Sergio Garcia (centre) and Tommy Fleetwood at a promotional event for the Honma Hong Kong Open. Photo: EPA

Tommy Fleetwood was close to tears just a few days ago after failing to defend the prestigious Race to Dubai title.

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The affable Englishman was barely able to speak after his Tour Championship third round on Saturday in Dubai left him with little chance of winning the tournament, which he needed to do to capture his second straight Race to Dubai crown.

“You live and breathe the game don’t you? So there’s going to be good bits and bad bits,” he told the European tour in an emotional interview. “At the end of the day, it’s just golf but it does hurt.”

However, he hopes a fresh start to the season at everybody’s favourite course – at the Honma Hong Kong Open – will help him erase the blues and launch a fresh assault on the new season’s Race to Dubai campaign.

“It’s a great atmosphere [at Fanling] ... for a new start. If you play well here, you’re on a head start for the year. It sets your season up perfectly,” he said.

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