Tommy Fleetwood claims Rory McIlroy is “so close” to winning a major as Race to Dubai continues
Tommy Fleetwood talked about Rory McIlroy as the DP World Tour players head to the season-ending event. The English golfer will tee off this week at the DP World Tour Championship, which begins with the first round on Thursday, November 14.
During a press conference for the tournament on November 12, Tommy Fleetwood was asked about McIlroy's game this season. Speaking of the Northern Irish golfer, Fleetwood praised his performance this season and claimed McIlroy was "close" to winning a Major soon. Fleetwood said (via ASAP Sports):
"I think Rory has had a great year," Tommy Fleetwood said. "Of course, I think it's easy for everyone to look at what could have happened if things go a little different way. But at the same time, you only get to talk about those things if he is consistently up there with a chance of winning week-in, week-out."
"He's shown amazing consistency: So close to winning a major; so close to winning a bunch of events while winning a few at the same time. You know, it's obviously not over yet but he's in with a very good chance and he has a chance of winning another Race to Dubai title," he added.
Rory McIlroy has won four Major tournaments in his career. However, his last Major victory came in 2014, and the World No. 3 has been seeking to break his Major winless streak for a decade.
He came very close to winning the U.S. Open earlier this year but faltered on the concluding holes of the final round, finishing in second place, and losing the title to Bryson DeChambeau by just one stroke. This year, on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, McIlroy has been impressive with his game but has only struggled in the Majors.
He has won three tournaments in 2024, including two on the PGA Tour (the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship) and one on the DP World Tour at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Notably, Rory McIlroy leads the Race to Dubai list as the players head into the season-concluding event this week.
"I can find myself come Sunday with a chance to win" - Tommy Fleetwood sets sights on winning the DP World Tour Championship
This week, the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai list will tee off at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Tommy Fleetwood, who has won seven tournaments on the European Tour, has his eyes set on adding another title to his name this Sunday.
The Englishman discussed his performance this season and expressed his desire to win the season-ending DP World Tour event.
"Yeah, final event of the season. I think whoever you are, I think making it to this tournament is a goal at the start of the year," Fleetwood said. "Yeah, ever since 2013, I've managed to make it to this point which is something I'm proud of, and yeah, hopefully I can find myself come Sunday with a chance to win."
"I think just being age to get to this point of the year, it's obviously been a long season for everybody. But if you can be playing well and you can find yourself with a chance in the last event of the season, it's a great feeling," he added.
Tommy Fleetwood has enjoyed a successful year on the European Tour in 2024. He won the Dubai Invitational in January, registering a one-stroke win over Thriston Lawrence and Rory McIlroy.