Tommy Fleetwood held off the challenge of Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy with a big finish to claim a dramatic victory at the Dubai Invitational.
The Englishman entered the final round in the United Arab Emirates with a one-shot lead but found himself one behind McIlroy stood on the 18th tee before the Northern Irishman hooked his tee-shot into the water.
That left the door open for Fleetwood and he rolled in a 16-foot putt on the final green for a birdie-birdie finish and a one-shot victory as McIlroy made a bogey.
Dubai-resident Fleetwoodâs closing 67 saw him finish at 19 under, one ahead of McIlroy â who signed for the same score â and South Africaâs Thriston Lawrence.
âIâm very happy,â said Fleetwood. âIt was amazing winning. Like almost everybody else in the world of golf, I donât win anywhere near as much as I would like to but just that winning feeling is great.
âThis is obviously where I live and have a lot of support. Itâs great to kick off the year with a great result and push on from here.
âI was very happy with the way I played today for the large majority of the round, felt like I didnât hole some of the putts that I wanted to. I just stayed patient and kept playing. I knew I was playing very, very well, and even the last two holes, played 17 and 18 great.â
McIlroy and Fleetwoodâs âFleetwood Macâ partnership claimed two points from two in the foursomes in Rome last year as Europe beat the United States 16.5-11.5 but no quarter was given on a dramatic final day in Dubai.
Fleetwood found himself three shots clear of McIlroy as he picked up shots on the third, fifth and tenth, with the four-time major champion following gains on the third and fifth with a bogey on the sixth after finding the water.
A hat-trick of McIlroy birdies from the 11th had him in a share of top spot and while he inexplicably three-putted the 14th from two feet, he hit straight back with a 20-footer on the next.
Fleetwood dropped his only shot of the day on the 16th but responded from 30 feet on the 17th, as McIlroy birdied the same hole to set up the late drama.
âIâm really happy for Tommy,â said McIlroy. âHeâs played some incredible golf over the last year without actually getting a win. So for him to get the win here, itâs great for him and it will do his confidence a world of good and hopefully he kicks on from it.
âI think first week back out, I think youâre going to expect some of those sloppy mistakes and unfortunately for me those mistakes came at the wrong time today. But Iâll reflect on it and learn from today and thereâs still a lot of good stuff in there. But just need to tidy up some of the edges and if I do that, I feel good going into next week.â
Lawrence finished with a 64, while Englandâs Jordan Smith was at 16 under, one shot clear of former Open champion Francesco Molinari.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. Weâve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who arenât really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So thatâs why weâve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate â and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about â people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Letâs get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here