Matt Fitzpatrick’s desert form sets hot pace ahead of Tyrrell Hatton in Dubai

It is unclear whether Matt Fitzpatrick developed a fondness for sand when a child but the great anomaly of a golfer from Sheffield and recurring desert success continues. Fitzpatrick has now played 10 rounds at the DP World Tour Championship and hasn’t been outside the competition’s top 10 at the conclusion of any of them. Twelve months ago, Fitzpatrick endorsed his Dubai speciality when snatching victory from the grasp of Tyrrell Hatton.

The 23-year-old Fitzpatrick was at it again on Friday. Perhaps the sight of Hatton, who produced a stunning 63 to move to nine under, inspired the Yorkshireman once more. Fitzpatrick’s 67 means he leads the field at minus 10 with 36 holes to play.

“I won here last year I’ve got nothing to lose,” said Fitzpatrick. “Obviously it would be nice to defend but you know sort of the [long] odds when you’re coming back into the tournament and there’s great players at the top of the leaderboard already.

“I think the only thing I would say is that I did win last year and that probably gives me a little bit more confidence than everyone else. I’m just looking forward to the weekend and delighted that I could put myself in position.”

Hatton, of course, has revenge on his mind. He stumbled badly at the 72nd hole here in 2016 when victory looked a formality. Hatton is also looking to fully endorse what already looks a safe position among Europe’s Ryder Cup team for 2018, his wins at the recent Dunhill Links Championship and Italian Open propelling him to second in the rankings.

“Yesterday I was struggling with cramps in my back and a horrific blister on my foot,” Hatton said. “It’s just the blister now, so a spoonful of cement at dinner and I’ll be alright tomorrow.” This, apparently, is urban slang for discovering a little courage.

Tommy Fleetwood used Friday morning to jab back at Justin Rose, with the pair in pursuit of the European Order of Merit title. Rose started day two with a seven-stroke lead over Fleetwood but the man from Southport responded with a 65 to move to six under at halfway. Rose’s 70 means he is now only two ahead of Fleetwood and sharing third in the tournament.

“At least my name is somewhere now, rather than the wrong end of the leaderboard,” said Fleetwood. “You’re always disappointed when you don’t shoot a good score but I still didn’t count myself out of the tournament at all. If I had shot the same score today, then I would, but luckily I got a good one.”