Today's Edition
Dubai (Aletihad)
Tommy Fleetwood fired a brilliant bogey-free 63 to set up a mouthwatering final-day duel with Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Invitational.
The Englishman started the third round three shots behind his Ryder Cup team-mate but held a three-shot advantage of his own at one point as he made eight birdies to get to 15 under at Dubai Creek Resort.
McIlroy is made of stern stuff, however, and he also came home in 32 to sign for a 67 and sit just one shot behind with 18 holes to play. Dane Thorbjørn Olesen was at 12 under, one clear of South African duo Thriston Lawrence and Zander Lombard and England's Jordan Smith.
Fleetwood has won twice in the United Arab Emirates down the road in Abu Dhabi but is looking for a first win in Dubai and seventh on the DP World Tour.
He finished 2023 with a runner-up finish at the the DP World Tour Championship and after flying in from the PGA TOUR season-opener in Hawaii, he takes a lead into the final round of a DP World Tour event for the first time since 2014.
"I felt I played very well, got off to the perfect start and got momentum early on, which I didn't have yesterday," he said. "That little patch through the middle of the back nine where you just start seeing putts going in, it's funny when you get a day like that and you're just looking at them and you just feel like you can come close.
"I hit a couple of really nice putts early on, was rolling the ball well and hit the greens well. Today they went my way, just a bit of confidence when you start holing some and just get in that rhythm and that flow."
Ali Fatourechi seals team title
The duo were also doing battle in the team event, with Fleetwood's partner Ali Fatourechi taking the title in the 54-hole competition at 24 under, with tournament host and McIlroy's partner from Thursday and Saturday Abdulla Al Naboodah finishing on the same total but losing out on final-round score.
Entrepreneur Fatourechi was presented with the winner’s trophy during a prize-giving ceremony after the final round, and also scooped a second award for the best team score on Saturday on countback, after carding a 10-under par 62.
Darrin Hyman sealed the award for Friday’s best team score on countback, also recording a ten under par 62, while tournament host Al Naboodah received the award for Thursday’s best team score with a 14-under par 58.
