Rory McIlroy throws Dubai Invitational away as Tommy Fleetwood takes the win
Rory McIlroy three-jabs from two feet on 14 and then drives into the water on 18 as Tommy Fleetwood birdies the final two holes to win the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek.
Rory McIlroy drove into the water on the 18th as playing partner Tommy Fleetwood took full advantage to win the inaugural Dubai Invitational on the DP World Tour.
McIlroy, 34, held a one-stroke lead heading down the par-4 18th but drove left into the water to open the door for Fleetwood, 32.
The World No.2 took his drop from the left intermediate but came up well short of the pin with his third shot.
Fleetwood then stepped in to send a crisp iron shot to within 12 feet of the cup.
McIlroy could not convert the 35-foot par save and it left the stage clear for Fleetwood to curl home his birdie putt for a narrow one-stroke victory on 19-under par.
Fleetwood carded a final-round 67, which was matched by McIlroy.
It marked Fleetwood's seventh DP World Tour win and first since November 2022.
Fleetwood now moves into fifth place in the Race to Dubai rankings while McIlroy moves to 11th.
McIlroy finished runner-up on 18-under par alongside Thriston Lawrence, who fired an impressive bogey-free 64.
Both McIlroy and Fleetwood had birdied the 17th hole to set up a final-hole showdown in the first DP World Tour event of 2024.
McIlroy was not only left to rue his poor drive down 18 but also his costly three-jab from two feet on the par-3 14th.
Jordan Smith (66) finished on 16-under par in solo fourth, one stroke clear of a resurgent Francesco Molinari, who flew home with a stunning 63.
The inaugural tournament was being staged at Dubai Creek Resort in a week where DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley confirmed he would be leaving the circuit soon.
Dubai Invitational Final Leaderboard
-19 T Fleetwood (Eng)
-18 R McIlroy (NI), T Lawrence (SA)
-16 J Smith (Eng)
-15 F Molinari (Ita)
