Dubai-based Fleetwood eyes 'very special' first DP World Tour Championship win

Dubai: Dubai: Tommy Fleetwood said it would be “very special” to crown a memorable year by finally winning the DP World Tour Championship — in the city he now proudly calls home.

The Dubai-based Englishman has come close to victory before, finishing runner-up in both 2019 and 2023, but the season-ending trophy has so far eluded him.

Fleetwood arrives at this year’s event in outstanding form. He broke through for his first PGA Tour win at the Tour Championship in August, clinching the FedExCup title, played a crucial role in Europe’s historic away Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black in September, and added the DP World India Championship to his growing list of 2025 achievements.

He also narrowly missed out at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, losing to Aaron Rai in a tense playoff after a superb final round.

Now ranked World No 4, Fleetwood is eager to go one better this week, aiming to cap off a stellar season with a third Rolex Series title.

“This is the last event I’ll play this year, and it’s been an amazing one,” Fleetwood said. “It would be incredible to finish it off with a win. My whole family is here, there are so many familiar faces, and the course is just around the corner from home.

“I’ve had a couple of good chances in this tournament over the years, but I’d like to do better this time — give myself more opportunities. I can picture that winning moment on the 18th green; I know it so well. We’ll give it everything.

“The course has become such an iconic venue for us on Tour. And it’s always nice to be sleeping in my own bed again.”

Great tournament

Reflecting on his runner-up finish at Yas Links, where he posted rounds of 64, 66, 67, and 66 to finish 25-under-par, Fleetwood remains upbeat.

“It was a great tournament in every sense,” he said. “I played so well and so consistently all week, gave myself chances coming down the stretch, and rolled some great putts.

“Of course, there’s disappointment when you come so close, but Aaron was fantastic and fully deserved the win. For me, there’s a lot to be positive about — one more week to go, and I’m looking forward to finishing the season strong.”