Tommy Fleetwood responds to 'gamesmanship' claim in Abu Dhabi play-off

Fleetwood’s actions appeared to be questioned on Sky Sports as Rai was left waiting on the tee at Yas Links after the two Englishmen had finished in a tie on 25 under par in the first of the DP World Tour’s two season-ending Play-Off events in the UAE.

“This is what I don’t like,” said commentator Andrew Coltart on the TV coverage. “To me, they’ve both got to arrive at the tee at the same time. I don’t like that. That gives the person who arrives on the tee last an advantage.”

Responding to that, on-course commentator Wayne Riley added: “Tommy is just slowing it all down. A little gamesmanship, clever. Making him wait, stew.”

Speaking on Tuesday in the build up to the $10 million DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, Fleetwood insisted he hadn’t been guilty of gamesmanship on this occasion and would never dream of showing disrespect to a fellow golfer.

‘I feel like it is disappointing journalism’

“I did see the comments, actually, just before,” said the world No 4. “I don't know in what context it was said. I didn't hear it. I read it. Either way, if there's a certain side of journalism where it's conveyed, I feel like it's disappointing.

“Not to Andrew. I think very highly of him. I think he's amazing. I've read one little piece and I'm not going to accuse anybody of meaning anything by it. I'm just saying from my point of view, I had just played with Aaron for 36 holes, we are unbelievably close and unbelievably supportive of each other in our careers.

“We walked off the 18th and I was desperate to go to the toilet, I said to Miguel (Viador, the tournament director), ‘can I please go to the toilet?’ He said ‘yes’. I ran to the toilet; ran to the tee.

“I think everybody knows or I would hope that everybody knows that I wouldn't do anything like that, and I think the world of Aaron, as well.”

Fleetwood, who broke his PGA Tour duck in style when winning the Tour Championship in August to also claim the FedEx Cup, is playing his final event of the year this week and it’s a home gig for the Dubai resident.

“It has been a great year and this will be an amazing way to finish it,” he said. “My whole family are here. Lots of familiar faces, a course that I know well, and I live very, very close. It would be very special to be on the 18th green having won.

“I've probably had a couple of chances in this tournament over years. I'd like to do a bit better than that. I'd like to present myself with a few more chances. I can clearly see that image in my head. I know it so well. We'll strive for that and see what we can do.”