News
Prediction
Fixtures
Tommy Fleetwood holds off Rory McIlroy to secure a one-shot victory at the Dubai Invitational
In a riveting conclusion on Sunday, Tommy Fleetwood (32) secured victory in the Dubai Invitational by a narrow one-shot margin after Rory McIlroy (34) bogeyed his last hole. Fleetwood, representing England, concluded the tournament at 19-under-par overall, sealing the win with a final-round 67 that included a crucial birdie on the last hole. The thrilling finish at the Dubai Creek Resort saw McIlroy and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence (27) trailing closely, both just one shot behind.
Expressing his satisfaction with his performance, Fleetwood commented, “It was great. I think I was very happy with the way I played today for the large majority of the round.”
McIlroy briefly took the solo lead with a birdie on the 17th, reaching 19-under par overall. However, a misstep on the final hole, where he hit the water, opened the door for Fleetwood. Displaying composure, Fleetwood birdied the last hole, securing his seventh DP World Tour title.
“In the first week back out, you have to anticipate making some of those careless errors. Unfortunately, for me, some of those mistakes occurred at inopportune moments,” McIlroy remarked.
Fleetwood commenced the day with a one-shot lead over the world number two, and he faced a formidable challenge from McIlroy and Lawrence, who delivered an impeccable seven-under-par 64.
McIlroy, with three consecutive birdies early on the back nine, managed to draw level before a second bogey on the 14th disrupted his momentum. However, Fleetwood’s sole bogey of the round at the 16th set the stage for an exciting finish, as the Englishman closed with two birdies.
Reflecting on the round, Fleetwood commented, “I didn’t hole some of the putts that I wanted to, and it was great watching one of the world’s best players in golf, Rory, observing how he attacked the back nine. It was a bit up and down towards the end, with a sloppy bogey on the 16th. But I managed birdies on 17 and 18.”
