DP WORLD TOUR
Tommy Fleetwood Outlasts Rory McIlroy In Dubai
England’s Tommy Fleetwood delivered a breathtaking conclusion at the Dubai Invitational, securing victory with a remarkable birdie-birdie finish to fend off challenges from Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence.
As the final day unfolded at the Dubai Creek Resort, Fleetwood, carrying a one-shot lead into Sunday, faced a thrilling showdown with McIlroy, who trailed closely.
Fleetwood, aged 32, remained a model of consistency posting three unanswered birdies through the first 15 holes until a bogey on the 16th hole temporarily dropped him from the lead. The 18th tee presented a tense scenario with Fleetwood and world No. 2 McIlroy both making birdies at the penultimate hole, leaving them neck and neck. However, McIlroy’s misfortune in finding the water with his final drive of the day and registering a bogey paved the way for Fleetwood’s triumph. The world No. 15 secured the dramatic win after draining a 16-foot birdie putt on the final green. Fleetwood fired a 4-under 67 to finish at 19-under par and clinch his seventh DP World Tour title.
Lawrence matched McIlroy at 18-under, securing a second-place tie. Lawrence, a four-time winner on the DP World Tour signed for a 7-under 64 on Sunday. McIlroy carded a 4-under 67 final round.
England’s Jordan Smith finished solo fourth at 16-under after scoring a 5-under 66. 2018 Open Champion Francesco Molinari was one-shot further back at 15-under for outright fifth place.
This victory marks Fleetwood’s third triumph in the United Arab Emirates, adding to his two victories in Abu Dhabi. It comes on the heels of his impressive second-place finish at the 2023 season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
The DP World remains in Dubai for next week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic to be staged at Emirates Golf Club. Rory McIlroy is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Dubai Invitational
1. Tommy Fleetwood -19
T2. Rory McIlroy -18
T2. Thriston Lawrence -18
4. Jordan Smith -16
5. Francesco Molinari -15
Photo credit: Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images
