Tommy Fleetwood is looking to swing it in Paris – despite struggling with his flow – as Brit moves within one shot of leaders Jon Rahm and defending Olympic champion Xander Schauffele
- Tommy Fleetwood said he was struggling with his swing in Paris
- Despite this, he is one stroke behind leaders Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele
- Rory McIlroy finished T6 at ten under, with a score of five under on Saturday
A strange week for Tommy Fleetwood offers an exciting opportunity. Despite struggling with his swing through three rounds at Le Golf National, he is firmly in contention for an Olympic gold medal.
After a score of 69, the Englishman starts his final round on Sunday, just one stroke away from the 14-under-par lead that Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, the reigning champion, jointly hold.
As ever, the question will be whether he can win a tournament, but on the course where he won Roland Garros in 2017 and excelled in the Ryder Cup a year later, his familiarity with the environment makes up for his discomfort with his game.
“My swing isn’t flowing,” he said. “It’s not what I want it to be, but I’ve been doing so well all week.”
The highlight of his round was an up-and-down birdie from a bunker on the 14th and a scrambled par on the last. His only blunder was a bogey on the 12th.
Tommy Fleetwood (pictured) said he struggled with his swing while in Paris
The British golfer (left) moved within one stroke of the leader by shooting a 69 on Saturday
Fleetwood (pictured) won the French Open in 2017 and excelled in the Ryder Cup a year later
Rory McIlroy is at a threatening 10 under par after shooting five strokes in a bogey-free round of 66.
Given his outspoken indifference to the Olympics after withdrawing from Rio 2016, his change of thinking has put him fairly close to the top.
“The story of the first two days was the mistakes and today I went out there thinking I was going to limit those mistakes, which I did,” McIlroy said. “It was a really solid round of golf and I’m in with a shot at a medal tomorrow.
“I shot three under every day on the front nine. If I can play the front nine the way I’ve been playing, I’ll be right there.”
“It’s great for the game to see all those players there. Obviously Xander who’s had an incredible year; Scottie (Scheffler, who is tied with McIlroy at 10 under) is the best player in the world and you’ve got Jon Rahm. It’s a great ranking.”
Rahm is a fascinating figure in that mix. His form in the majors has been poor since he made the switch to LIV, but his win on the breakaway circuit a week ago seems to have shocked him into more of a resemblance to his old self.
Fleetwood has moved within one stroke of leaders Jon Rahm (left) and Xander Schauffele (right)
Rory McIlroy (pictured) also enjoyed a good day on track but said he needs to continue to correct mistakes
Matt Fitzpatrick (pictured) has withdrawn from the competition due to a thumb injury
A 66 on a day with tricky wind gusts and tricky pins was a fine performance, although he was overshadowed by the 62 of his Ryder Cup teammate Nicolai Hojgaard, who finished on 11 under par.
Fleetwood team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick has withdrawn due to a thumb injury.