Cheeky Fleetwood says he’s better looking than McIlroy as they hunt down Rahm at the Players

CHEEKY Tommy Fleetwood said he is better looking than Rory McIlroy as they bid to chase down red-hot Jon Rahm at the Players Championship.

Fleetwood will be in the final group with Ryder Cup team-mate Rahm on Sunday despite McIlroy – playing with Fleetwood – finishing his round first.

If players are tied on the same score, whoever is first to hole out on the 18th usually goes out in the later group the day after.

But asked if he knew why he would play with Rahm instead of McIlroy, Fleetwood said: “I believe it’s because I’m the better looking one.”

The home duo had nightmare starts, with McIlroy bogeying the first two holes and Fleetwood opening with a double after a three-putt from eight feet.

But they recovered well, Fleetwood playing the final nine in four under and McIlroy saving par on the par-five 16th after punching his second shot under some trees and into the water at the back of the green.

Both signed for matching two-under par 70s to go to 14 under.

But it was Rahm – who beat Tiger Woods in the singles at Le Golf National back in October – who stole the show.

He shot a sizzling eight-under 64 at treacherous Sawgrass to hold a one-shot lead at 15 under going into Sunday’s final round.

Rahm came close to a hole in one on the famous 17th – but admitted he wasn’t aiming anywhere near the flag.

He said: “I hit a three-quarter pitching wedge, back in the stance, not looking anywhere near the pin.

“You can see from my face I wasn’t trying to do that [hit so close] but I’m glad it happened.

“Now I have to stick to my game and do one shot at a time, stay patient because you never know what will happen.

“I’m going to have to shoot a good number to win this tournament.”