Fleetwood’s Caps 8,700 Mile Hawaii To Dubai Journey With First Victory Since Late ’22

2 years ago by Comments Off on Fleetwood’s Caps 8,700 Mile Hawaii To Dubai Journey With First Victory Since Late ’22

Tommy Fleetwood travelled near 8,700 miles from Hawaii to end a more two year winless drought with victory in the inagural Dubai Invitational in Dubai.

And Fleetwood’s seventh DP World Tour victory, and his first since capturing the 2022 Nedbank Challenge in South Africa, comes thanks to a pair of closing birdies in a last round of 67 for a one shot win 19-under-par tally on the host Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht club course.

Fleetwood, who turns 33 this coming Saturday, sealed success also in a 10th career win thanks to good friend Rory McIlroy who was leading by a shot heading down the last only to find the Dubai Creek down the right side of the 18th.

McIlroy took a penalty drop and despite finding the green with his then third shot his resultant bogey ‘5’ in a score also of 67, put the World No. 2 back into a tie for second with Springbok golfer Thirston Lawrence (64) at 18-under.

It also didn’t help McIlroy when he three-putted the par-3 14th, the first putt from some three-feet, in taking bogey while he found the water four times throughout the week, including twice on Friday at the par-3 8th hole en route to a then quadruple bogey.

No concern for Fleetwood who finished birdie, birdie to capture a sixth DP World Tour title and also, as mentioned above, the 10th of his pro career.

Tommy Fleetwood on the banks of Dubai Creek with the stunning-looking Dubai Invitational trophy – Image DP World Tour

“It’s great I was very happy with the way I played today,” said Fleetwood.

“For the majority of the round it felt like I didn’t hole some of the putts I should have and being against one of the world’s best golfers in the world in Rory and the way he attacked the back nine it was up and down until the end.

“It was a sloppy bogey on 16 from not a bad iron shot and yeah birdie, birdie on 18.”

The Englishman teed off with a one shot lead as Fleetwood Mac reunited for a Sunday showdown after their magical partnership in the Ryder Cup last September.

Rory McIlroy playing his third shot after finding water down the last while leading on the final day of the Dubai Invitational

McIlroy, and looking to win a first tournament of a New Year for a second year running and also just a second time in his career, now heads the short drive up Sheik Zahad Road for this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic as defending champion.

“I think for the first week back out, it was a really positive”, said McIlroy.

“Looking back on today, you know, a tee shot in the water with an iron on the front nine, had that three-putt from three feet on the par 3, and then the water ball on the last.

“So you know, 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 you know, I’ll reflect on it and learn from today, and there’s still a lot of good stuff in there.

“I just need to tidy up some of the edges, and if I do that, I feel good going into next week”.



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