Tommy Fleetwood arrives at the Dubai Invitational not only as a former champion at Dubai Creek Resort, but as a player firmly established among the game’s elite.

Now world No. 3, the Englishman reflects on a breakthrough year in the United States, the value of consistency, memories of a defining victory in Dubai, and the challenge of chasing down the two players currently setting the standard in men’s golf.

Unchanged Ambitions After a Breakthrough Year

Fleetwood’s long-awaited PGA TOUR victory last season marked a major milestone, yet he is quick to stress that it has not altered his long-term outlook.

Rather than redefining targets for the year ahead, Fleetwood sees his journey very much as a continuation of the same process that has guided him throughout his career.

He explains that his broader life and career ambitions remain intact, with the focus still on becoming the best golfer he can be. While last season placed him in unfamiliar territory, particularly in terms of world ranking, he views that success as a platform rather than a destination.

A well-earned break after an intense year has helped him reset, and as the new season begins, Fleetwood is eager to return to work, sticking with familiar routines and continuing to push for incremental improvement.

Consistency as the Foundation of Success

When asked to pinpoint the reasons behind what many described as an outstanding year, Fleetwood points not to any dramatic technical changes, but to years of steady, disciplined effort.

Consistency, he says, has always been central to his identity as a player. While the absence of a PGA TOUR win had often been highlighted, Fleetwood never felt that his underlying performance level was lacking.

In his view, last season’s run of form simply represented his ability to play, more often and more consistently, at the level he knows he can reach. The difference was not in approach, but in execution, finding himself in contention more regularly and allowing results to follow.

Surrounded by a strong support team and armed with detailed preparation, Fleetwood believes last year was the natural reward for sustained hard work finally aligning with opportunity.

Defending Champion Memories at Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek Resort holds special significance for Fleetwood, and memories of his victory there remain fresh. Central to that win was a compelling final-round battle alongside Rory McIlroy.

Fleetwood recalls the experience as both enjoyable and demanding, describing it as a valuable test against one of the greatest players of his generation. The closing stages served as a reminder of golf’s unpredictability, the need to stay patient, focused and committed until the final putt is holed.

Winning in Dubai was made even more meaningful by having his family present, adding a personal dimension to a professional highlight.

Reflecting on the course itself, Fleetwood describes Dubai Creek as a fair examination that rewards quality ball-striking. Calm morning conditions and receptive greens offer scoring opportunities, but accuracy off the tee is critical. Straying into the rough, particularly as the course firms up, quickly turns the test into a grind.

Life at World No. 3

Starting the season ranked third in the world is new territory for Fleetwood, and one he finds both motivating and exciting.

He is candid in acknowledging the gap between himself and the two players ahead of him, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, whom he regards as the clear standard-bearers of the modern game. Closing that gap, he believes, will require improvement across every area, measured in the smallest of margins.

Rather than setting short-term expectations, Fleetwood frames the challenge as a long-term pursuit. Maintaining his current level is the first priority, with any further progress seen as the result of patience and continued development rather than immediate results.

He also recognises the privilege of being mentioned in the same breath as the game’s very best, viewing it as both a compliment and a source of motivation.

Focused on the Process, Ready for the Challenge

As Fleetwood tees it up once again at the Dubai Invitational, his mindset is clear: grounded, consistent and forward-looking.

There is no sense of complacency despite recent success, nor any rush to force the next step. Instead, Fleetwood remains committed to the same principles that have carried him to this point — trust in his work, belief in his process, and an appreciation of the challenge that lies ahead.

At Dubai Creek Resort, a course that rewards precision and patience, Fleetwood finds himself perfectly aligned with both the setting and the moment.

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The six-day event will unfold across two of Dubai’s most iconic courses: the historic Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the prestigious Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, home of the DP World Tour Championship.

The tournament will feature three rounds of Better Ball format, open to any pairing of amateur and professional golfers.

“We created this event to showcase everything the resort has to offer – from championship-level golf to five-star hospitality,” said Michael Major, Director of Golf at Dubai Creek.

“It’s more than a competition – it’s a curated experience where guests enjoy the game at its finest while relaxing and connecting in a luxury setting.”

Participants will stay at the award-winning Park Hyatt Dubai, with access to world-class facilities, including the chic Lagoon Beach by Twiggy, 10 on-site restaurants, and a carefully designed itinerary balancing sport and leisure.

Highlights include a Welcome Cocktail Dinner at Twiggy, complimentary practice rounds, airport and golf course transfers, and premium branded amenities.

“The pairing of Dubai Creek and the Earth Course brings together two very different but equally compelling golfing experiences,” Major adds.

“It reflects not only the quality of Dubai’s golf offering but also the seamless service and connectivity we provide for our guests.”

The 2025 tournament is positioned as a flagship experience for golf travelers, blending the spirit of camaraderie with competitive play, all set against the backdrop of Dubai’s luxury lifestyle offering.

Packages start at AED 14,000 per person, with single and double room options available.

To book or for more information, please contact:
golfbooking@dubaigolf.com

Or visit: dubaicreekresort.com/golf

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RORY McILROY: Yeah, I am. I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks. This is a different way to start the season than previous ones. Obviously we played Abu Dhabi and then Dubai. Abu Dhabi now at the end of the year, which is exciting, because another big tournament at the end of the season could decide the season-long race.

This is a nice, maybe gentler introduction back into golf with this Pro-Am format this week at the Creek, and then obviously looking ahead to the Dubai Desert Classic next week also.

Q. Why particularly did you start next week and not next week at the Desert Classic?

RORY McILROY: I have a lot of friends in Dubai and I know a lot of the amateurs coming to play. I thought it would be a nice, as I said, gentle way to start the season and treat it more as a bit of a practise week and see where my game is and see if I need to make any adjustments going into next week, and obviously the bulk of the season, starting off in the States in California in a few weeks’ time.

I just thought it was a good opportunity to get on the golf course, get a card in my hand but in a more relaxed setting, so I’m excited for that for the week.

Q. Since we last spoke, Jon Rahm has joined LIV. The talks have been extended to April to try to resolve the fractures in our game. You were saying yesterday your dream scenario is if 2022 tournament world tour with a truly global schedule. Tell us which tournaments you think should be involved in that?

RORY McILROY: I think informally, we sort of have most of that global schedule, anyway. If you look at what all the tournaments that all the top players play, informally, sort of without any structure without it between a few different tours, I think we have at least the majority of what a global tour would look like. We still need to make sure that the biggest tournaments are in America; obviously that’s the biggest place that we play.

But also trying to elevate some of the other tournaments around the world: You know, trying to, Middle East, Continental Europe, U.K. and Ireland, the Far East, whether it be Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa. I mean, you’ve got a lot of different opportunities there.

I think if we really want to, if everyone is talking about growing the game and trying to, especially if these investors are going to come into our game and they want a return on their capital, I think everyone needs to start thinking more globally around it but globally in a holistic way but not really like this tour, that tour and another tour.

Like, okay, what is the best — what is the best structure for elite professional golf, the top 70 to 100 guys in the world and what would that look like, especially if the game is going to look different going forward and everything is on the table. I just think it’s worth having that conversation.

Q. You said with the proviso in mind that corporate America must be involved. Why is that so important to you?

RORY McILROY: Because they have the most money, basically. You know, they have proved over the last — the PGA TOUR has proved over the last 20 or 30 years that corporate America is interested in the game of golf for a number of different reasons, and America is still a huge market for our game. Because America has become such a huge market, it’s maybe not let other markets around the world thrive as well, and if we can sort of all start to work together a little bit more, I think a rising tide lists all ships or all boats, and that’s the mindset that I would, I guess, come to that thinking of what the best thing is for professional golf.

Q. To go to the far-flung corners of the world that you’re talking about, would players need to be contracted to play a certain number of tour events in this new world tour idea?

RORY McILROY: When you look at different sports and the media landscape and how much these media companies are paying for sporting events, I think you have to be able to guarantee them the product that they are paying for.

So in my opinion, yeah, I would say that people would have to be contracted and sign up to a certain number of events every year; that the sponsors and media partners know that the guys they want to be there are going to be.

Q. Let’s get back to you. Obviously a brilliant end to last year and winning your fifth Race to Dubai. What are the thoughts and inspirations going into this year, having reduced some of the clutter around you and taking some of those responsibilities away, how excited about the possibilities this year?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it is, it’s nice to have a little bit more free time again, whether that’s more time on the golf course and practising, or a bit more time with my family or doing other things that I enjoy doing. It’s going to be nice.

Yeah, I’m excited for the year. This is my 18th full season on tour, which is mad to think about. But I’m as excited as I was for the first one. I think every new year, new year, new opportunities, new goals, and you know, my consistency’s really been there over the last couple years, and without winning one of the big ones, and I think that’s the final piece of the puzzle for me, especially coming out of COVID and sort of going through some dips in my game and then coming back up and playing so well the last couple years. The final piece of the puzzle is trying to knock off one of those four.

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The Dubai Invitational will be held in alternate years, starting off in 2024, when it will be held at the Dubai Creek Resort from January 11-14.

The tournament follows the same format as the Dunhill Links Championship, with 72 holes of stroke play comprising a three-day team Pro-Am and a final round featuring professionals only.

The Dubai Invitational is schedule to take place the week before the Dubai Desert Classic, which is being held at Emirates Golf Club from January 18-21.

Among those already committed to playing in both events is world no.2 Rory McIlroy, who will be defending the Dubai Desert Classic title he won earlier this year after competing in the new Pro-Am event.

“I’m really excited to start my year at the Dubai Invitational,” said McIlroy. “I’ve always enjoyed coming back to Dubai to set up my season and with a pro-am format, this tournament is going to be an enjoyable week. Dubai Creek Resort is a fantastic course and given the support we get in Dubai from the fans, I’m sure they are going to make it another great week on the golfing calendar.”

To see the full schedule of DP World Tour events for the 2023-24 season, click here.

https://www.europeantour.com

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Taking place in mid-January, the Dubai Invitational forms part of a new-look DP World Tour schedule for 2023/24, which further emphasises the strength of golf on offer in the UAE. Dubai Golf and Viya Golf venues will now host a total of four events throughout the season, with the Dubai Invitational and Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club also taking place in January. The Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links has been elevated from its previous early-season position, to now form the first of a two-part playoff series in November that culminates with the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Speaking on the new DP World Tour schedule, CEO of Dubai Golf and former General Manager of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Chris May, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be welcoming the DP World Tour back to Dubai Creek in January. It’s a venue that has great heritage with professional golf, having previously been the host venue for the Dubai Desert Classic, and will be an incredible asset to the new tour schedule with a finishing stretch of holes that rivals almost any in the world.

“This addition also highlights the amazing quality of golf on offer here in the UAE and, in particular, within the Dubai Golf group. We now have four courses, hosting four fantastic events in what is set to be an incredibly strong season for the DP World Tour. The Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links was already one of the most popular stops on tour, but that event has gone from strength to strength and will now hold even greater significance as part of the new end of season playoff series.”

WHO HAS LIFTED THE TROPHY AT DUBAI CREEK

Prior to the introduction of the Dubai Invitational, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club was the two-time host of the Dubai Desert Classic – one of the DP World Tour’s most revered and long-standing events. In 1999, Englishman, David Howell, lifted the trophy, while in 2000, Jose Coceres came out on top, beating former Ryder Cup player and captain, Paul McGinley, by two strokes.

The Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek will kick off the new International Swing on the DP World Tour, on January 11^th. The following week, on January 18^th, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club gets under way – the first Rolex Series event of the season. As the season continues towards its conclusion, the leading 70 players will earn a spot in the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links, the first part of the new playoff series, which will conclude with the top-50 battling it out at Jumeirah Golf Estates for the DP World Tour Championship.

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, with its iconic sail-shaped clubhouse, sits within the Dubai Creek Resort alongside the luxurious Park Hyatt Dubai. The Riviera-style resort is located in the north of the city, close to Dubai International Airport, along the bank of a tranquil creek that creates cityscape views. The club features an 18-hole championship course, in addition to a 9-hole par-3 course, a golf academy, six restaurants and bars, a gymnasium, tropical swimming pool, and a 121-berth marina.

HISTORY OF DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club has a prestigious history, as Dubai’s second oldest golf course. This year, the club is celebrating its 30^th anniversary, having first opened back in 1993 and it was also host to the first ever golf academy in the Middle East.

Dubai Golf owns and operates Emirates Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club in Dubai, and under the business of Viya Golf, Yas Links, Yas Acres, and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Golf also owns and operates Topgolf Dubai.

Visitor tee times are available to book at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, and all other Dubai Golf venues through the Viya app. Viya allows customers, both in the UAE and around the world, to book world-class golf, dining, experiences, spas, and more at venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Viya is free to download, and you can do so by heading to any mobile app store. To explore Viya, head to: www.viya.ae/

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