Rory McIlroy remains one win from 17 first New Year events after virtually handing good friend Tommy Fleetwood victory at the close of the inaugural Dubai Desert Invitational.
The World No. 2 ranked McIlroy was leading by a shot heading down the final hole when he terribly hooked his ball well left finding the waters of Dubai Creek.
After taking a penalty drop, McIlroy found the green in three but then two-putted for third clumsy bogey of his round and falling shy of finishing tied with Fleetwood, his playing partner who birdied the last for a 19-under-par triumph.
Fleetwood was at his best, birdieing his closing two holess in a closing round 67 to claim a first win since late 2022, and do for a first time in his career as he said afterwards with his full family present.
The beaten Rory McIlroy throws his arm around good friend Tommy Fleetwood after Fleetwood’s one shot success in the first hosting of the Dubai Invitational – Image DP World Tour/Getty
McIlroy could look back also to the par-3 14th hole where he horribly three-putted, and his first putt just three-feet, for bogey.
However, despite his disappointment McIlroy was all smiles in congratulating Fleetwood and with the great sight of the Rome Ryder Cup winning pair embracing each other at the close of the first DP World Tour event of the New Year
“There were a couple of little mental errors in there which I hope I will clean up. I’m really happy for Tommy,” said McIlroy.
“He’s played some incredible golf over the last year without actually getting a win. So for him to get the win here, it’s great for him and it will do his confidence a world of good and hopefully he kicks on from it.
Rory McIlroy’s reaction after he three-putts the par-3 14th from just three feet.
“I think first week back out, I think you’re going to expect some of those sloppy mistakes and unfortunately for me those mistakes came at the wrong time today. But I’ll reflect on it and learn from today and there’s still a lot of good stuff in there. But just need to tidy up some of the edges and if I do that, I feel good going into next week.”
Fleetwood’s win is a seventh DP World Tour title and a 10th win of his pro career.
“It feels amazing. I was very happy with the way I played today”, he said.
“For a large majority of the round I felt like I didn’t hole some of the putts I wanted to but I felt very in control of my game and it was a case of staying patient. I don’t win nearly as much as I would like to and it is obviously where I live and have a lot of support.”
Springbok Thirston Lawrence finished with a 64 to end tied in second with McIlroy.
