Rory McIlroy was in management for a lot of the DP World Tour’s Dubai Invitational this week. Nonetheless, a powerful third spherical from Tommy Fleetwood vaulted him into the lead coming into Sunday.
In a drama-filled remaining spherical, it finally got here right down to the 72nd gap.
McIlroy had erased a 3 shot deficit through the remaining spherical and held a one-stroke lead on the 18th tee field.
But, his tee shot discovered water.
He would finally bogey the opening and drop to 18-under for the event. That tied him with Thirston Lawrence, who was already within the clubhouse.
It was as much as Fleetwood. A birdie wins the event. If he stays stage on the 18th, it could drive a three-way playoff and a bogey ended his day.
Fleetwood discovered the golf green off the tee and his method left him simply over 10-feet for the win. Regardless of going through a troublesome left-to-right putt, the Englishman was clutch.
Fleetwood beat McIlroy and Lawrence by one shot to win the Dubai Invitational. It’s his first victory since he gained his second Nedbank Golf Problem in 2022, and seventh total on the DP World Tour.
“That profitable feeling is superb, and it’s been a cool week,” Fleetwood mentioned. “Felt like I performed higher and higher all through the week. Had an ideal day yesterday, after which right this moment, taking part in with Rory, coming down the stretch in competition and attempting to win a golf event was cool. It’s been good being again in Dubai for the beginning of the yr.”
The 2 have performed numerous occasions collectively through the years, together with this previous fall as a part of the victorious Workforce Europe Ryder Cup workforce.
They’re additionally shut associates. Fleetwood is aware of when he’s paired up with McIlroy, he’ll be capable of gauge the place his recreation is.
“Rory’s been a really, very supportive affect on me over the previous,” Fleetwood mentioned. “I’ve watched him do superb issues down the stretch in golf tournaments, and right this moment was my flip.”
After watching McIlroy win for years, Fleetwood lastly earned head-to-head stripes.
“Rory performed superb on the again 9. He performed so aggressive,” Fleetwood mentioned. “He made so many birdies. It was irritating to then hastily be one behind whenever you’ve led all day, however pleased with how I type of trusted myself.”
Fleetwood’s angle through the remaining spherical was a giant purpose he didn’t let McIlroy’s surge trouble him an excessive amount of.
Picture by David Cannon/Getty Photographs
“I feel the nearer you get to the ending line, it’s simple to foretell issues and simple to inform your self what you may do, what others may do,” Fleetwood mentioned. “ I’ve had loads of occasions the place someone has completed nicely towards me after I’ve not fairly finished sufficient, and right this moment was my flip to stroll by way of the door.”
This victory ought to give Fleetwood a ton of confidence transferring ahead this season. He has but to win on the PGA Tour however has been knocking on the door.
Fleetwood had a shot final when he misplaced to Nick Taylor in a playoff on the RBC Canadian Open. He additionally recorded 9 top-10 finishes and 13 top-25s in 2023.
May this win give Fleetwood what he must recover from the hump within the States? His first PGA Tour begin will doubtless be in Arizona for the WM Phoenix Open. He’ll keep in Dubai for subsequent week’s Hero Dubai Desert Basic.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. For extra golf protection, make sure you observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may also observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
