2025 has been a memorable one in many ways for Tommy Fleetwood. A starring role in Europe’s victory in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, a rise to a career-high number four in the world rankings, a victory at the DP World India Championship, and a maiden PGA Tour win – after a torrent of heartbreaking near-misses – and the accompanying title of FedEx Cup champion.
And the Dubai resident is hoping for a victory in his resident land that would more than make up for his playoff loss to Aaron Rai in neighbouring Abu Dhabi last week.
And what a way to sign off on 2025 that would be.
“This is the last event I’m going to play this year. It has been a great year,” he said in his pre-tournament press conference at Jumeirah Estates where the Earth Course will once again welcome the DP World Tour’s elite for the DP World Tour Championship.
“So yeah, this will be an amazing way to finish, for sure. My whole family are here. Lots of familiar faces, a course that I know well, and I live very, very close.
“Again, it would be very special to be on the 18th green having won. I’ve probably had a couple of chances in this tournament over the years.
“I’d like to do a bit better than that. I’d like to present myself with a few more chances. I can clearly see that image in my head. I know it so well. We’ll strive for that and see what we can do.
“I think it’s turning into and already is quite an iconic course for us now on the Tour. Nice for me to be in my own bed again.”
Fleetwood’s positivity and mental resolve to continually put himself back in contention after the string of PGA Tour close calls was one of the most impressive aspects of his campaign, and he’s taking the same tried and tested approach to his latest setback.
“It was a great tournament, it really, really was,” he said of losing out to Rai on the second playoff hole. “I think there were so many positives for me.
“Again, I feel like I played so well and played so consistently throughout the week. Gave myself chances coming down the stretch. I hit great putts coming down the stretch. Had a go. Yeah, another really, really good week.
“Like I say, it’s easy to just feel that disappointment when you come so close. But Aaron was amazing. He totally deserves it.
“And for me, another week, all the positives and now one more week to go in the season now.”
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