New golf rules: Tommy Fleetwood, Brooks Koepka and others on putting with the flag in

Some of golf’s biggest names have been getting some practise with the new rules with the new season up and running.

Ryder Cup hero Tommy Fleetwood says golf’s new rules for 2019 make this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA part of a fascinating start to the year as he lined up with Henrik Stenson, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson to get a feel for the changes

The 24 new rules, which range from being able to leave the flag in when putting, drops from knee-height and removing penalties for double hits, came into effect on the European Tour this week with the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions having been played under the new rules earlier this month.

The rules have sparked debate at all levels of the game, with the ability to leave the flag in the whole when putting attracting the most attention. Most professionals, self-confessed mad scientist Bryson DeChambeau aside, appear a little indifferent as to what they will do on the course.

“With the new rule changes, it will be a fascinating start to 2019,” Fleetwood said.

Back-to-back US Open winning Koepka added: ““When I was in last place in Hawaii, we figured we would get lazy and just leave the pin in. If it was a putt that was closer, 6ft and downhill, then I would leave it in.

“The new rule changes should also encourage more people to get involved in this wonderful sport of ours.”

On return to Abu Dhabi, where he was a winner in the last two years, Fleetwood added: “It’s a really memorable tournament for me. It’s always a really special time of year as everything is up for grabs and, as ever, the strength of field here in Abu Dhabi is something else.”