Staff Reporter.
@APPhoto.
Tommy Fleetwood of England conjured up a birdie-birdie finish to deny Rory McIlroy and win the Dubai Invitational on Sunday.
Fleetwood enjoyed a one-shot lead over McIlroy going into the fourth round.
And he was a model of consistency until ceding the lead after a bogey at the 16th.
He was still one shot back on the 18th tee after he and McIlroy both birdied the penultimate hole.
But as the Northern Irishman found the water and made a bogey, Fleetwood holed from 16 feet for a 67, a 19 under total and a seventh DP World Tour title.
South African Thriston Lawrence finished alongside McIlroy at 18 under, two clear of England’s Jordan Smith and three ahead of 2018 British Open champion Francesco Molinari.
“It was amazing winning,” said Dubai resident Fleetwood.
He added: “This is obviously where I live and have a lot of support. It’s great to kick off the year with a great result and push on from here.
I was very happy with the way I played today for the large majority of the round, felt like I didn’t hole some of the putts that I wanted to.
“I just stayed patient and kept playing. I knew I was playing very, very well, and even the last two holes, played 17 and 18 great.”
McIlroy was happy with his play but admitted that some “sloppy mistakes” cost him at opportune moments.
“For a first week back out it was a really positive week,” said McIlroy.
“I am looking back on today – I had a tee shot in the water on the front nine, had the three putt, then the water ball on the last.
“First week back out, I think you have to expect some of those sloppy mistakes. Unfortunately for me, some of those mistakes came at the wrong time.
“I will reflect on it and learn from today and there is still a lot of good stuff in there, I just need to tidy up some of the edges.”
Smith finished in fourth place on 16-under while Team Europe’s Molinari had a round to remember as he finished on 15-under and carded a 63.