Fleetwood aims to replicate McIlroy’s consistency: “Rory is very much at the top of that list”

Tommy Fleetwood of England plays a tee shot off the 9th tee during practice prior to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 16, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Tommy Fleetwood admits replicating Rory McIlroy’s incredible consistency is the key to adding to his victory haul.

The world number 11 won for the first time in 14 months when he took advantage of McIlroy’s 72nd hole bogey and made birdie to claim just his eighth win in 367 professional starts in Sunday’s Dubai Invitational.

The Southport star (32) has racked up another 18 runner up finishes, including the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, as well as another 71 top-10 finishes since 2007.

But while McIlroy has 33 wins in 394 starts (8.3pc compared to the Englishman’s 2.17pc), he’s also racked up 31 runner-ups and another 133 top 10s.

“I think I've had a lot of near misses where I feel like I might have hit a shot that has cost me a tournament, and other times people play well,” Fleetwood said ahead of this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 

“Experience tells you that there's going to be those moments. I think the more that you're in contention, the more that you're in those situations, obviously the more it's going to show up because you're not going to win every single week you play.

“I think that's just the way the game is. This time it was my turn, and you know, just be happy when those times come.”

McIlroy has found a new of consistency in recent seasons and Fleetwood sees that as one of the keys to the Holywood star’s success, despite his more than nine-year major drought.

“There's a lot of very good players,” Fleetwood said of the challenge of winning regularly. “I think in general if you look at the strength and depth in the world of professional golf on any given tour, and then you add in -- so every single week, somebody is going to play very, very well.

“Probably 20, 30 guys are going to play very, very well; so you put that on top of how strong the standard is, obviously winning is going to be very, very difficult.

“72 holes is a long time. You know, you tee off -- sometimes you tee off at 7.00 on Thursday morningand the tournament finishes at 6.00 on Sunday night and everything you do in that period counts.

“Yeah, it's difficult, and I think you know, even I think the best players in the world and the people that win the most, Rory very much at the top of that list, if you look at the amount of times he actually just puts himself there, I think that's the No. 1 thing you can do. 

“Keep playing to a high standard, practising to a high standard, putting yourself in those positions all the time, and then you get a chance of winning.

“It's not going to work out all the time, and it's very, very hard and there are always players that play great and that are going to be hitting great shots. 

“You just have to be there, and like I say, your times will come.

“My time doesn't happen, or it hasn't happened nearly as much as I would like, but you know, we just hope that it comes more often in the future.

“But I just think winning is very, very hard, and of course, everybody judges you on the tournaments you've won. 

“But even last week, I played great golf last week, and everybody was saying ‘well played,’ and it was great to win. The last hole: I made a birdie and Rory made a bogey, and that was one hole out of 72 holes that made a difference in the tournament, and you could look at it very, very differently.

“I think you just have to make sure you're always looking at your performance and how strong that is, and just go from there.”

Defending champion. McIlroy is seeking his fourth win at Majlis Course this week and Fleetwood does not underestimate the value of experience.

“I think you have to know the course. I haven't had the results that I would want here. In the past, I think I might have had one top-five maybe. 

“There's room for improvement on how I've played around here, but definitely, whenever you come to somewhere where you know the shots, you can visualise the shots, you've seen so many people play the course and you've got a feel for it, it does make a difference.

“You go out there and you draw on the experience you've got, and you know certain areas where you haven't quite been as well, so that makes preparing easier as well. You just have a nice feeling around here. You're so used to, so it's normal.”

He added: “Beautiful trophy to have your name on with a whole list of amazing winners and legends of the game. I'll keep dreaming of having my name on that trophy one day.”

McIlroy is joined in the field by Padraig Harrington, Tom McKibbin, Open champion Brian Harman and Poland’s Adrian Meronk, who was named today as the winner of the 2023 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year by his peers on the DP World Tour.

Meronk, who won three times but missed out on Ryder Cup selection, earned 38pc of the votes cast by his fellow DP World Tour members, with Race to Dubai champion McIlroy taking second place. 

Ryder Cup debutant Nicolai Højgaard and Viktor Hovland, who clinched the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup, were in joint third place.

Meronk said: "It feels amazing. I'm shocked to be honest; I didn't expect that. You got me by surprise, but seeing my name next to all of these players, it's unbelievable. I'm very grateful for this award. It means a lot to me that other players appreciate my season last year. It's a great feeling. 

"Last year was the best season so far in my career. I'm really happy that other players saw that, as well and give that award. Just thank you for that and I have to keep going.

"I enjoy this week. I love playing here in Dubai. It's probably one of my favourite tournaments of the year. So I'm excited to be here. We have such a great field this week, so I will just enjoy every moment."