ABU DHABI: England’s world number 102 Tommy Fleetwood overcame swirling winds and final-hole jitters to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by one shot on Sunday.
The 25-year-old carded a five-under-par final-round 67 to clinch only the second European Tour title of his career.
He finished on 271, one shot ahead of world number three Dustin Johnson, the US Open champion who made an eagle on the last hole for a final-round 68.
Tied with him on 16 under par was Spain’s 2014 champion Pablo Larrazabal, who also shot 68.
Fleetwood was even par with a birdie and a bogey on the front nine, but chipped in an eagle from the front edge of the par-five 10th green to kick-start his charge.
“The 10th was a big turning point, really. You can quite easily chip that to six foot and miss and make five. I chipped it in and made three and birdied the next. Those two holes were the big difference,” he said.
“Some good players chasing me, so very, very proud of this. I did really just concentrate on my own game, kept going. A 31 on the back nine on a Sunday is great, no matter who you are.”
The outcome could have been different, however, after a few nerves on the 18th when Fleetwood was just one shot ahead of Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Larrazabal.
He hit a wayward tee shot next to the cart path on the left and after a lengthy discussion with the referee got a drop.
Then he hit a stunning three-wood second shot straight to the heart of the green and two-putted for birdie.
Three-time champion Martin Kaymer of Germany made an eagle at the last hole to tie Bernd Wiesberger (68) of Austria and Kiradech (69) in fourth place at 273.
Last year’s winner, Rickie Fowler of the US, shot a 72 and finished 12 shots behind the leader on five-under, while reigning British Open champion and European number one Henrik Stenson (69) was in a three-way tie for eighth place at 275.
Fleetwood is expected to move close to 50th in the world rankings when they are released on Monday.
Johnson, who is scheduled to play in Torrey Pines next week, said he was happy with the state of his game.
“All in all it was a solid day. It was windy out there. It is playing a little bit tougher today. I felt like I struck the ball well and gave myself plenty of opportunities. I just did not roll any putts in,” he said.
Larrazabal, who was playing with Johnson in the leader group, made several long putts and kept himself in the hunt. He needed an eagle on the last to force a playoff, but could only manage a birdie.
“I gave it my best. I never give up. I did not play my best but I tried my best, holding some putts, chipping in on the 14th. Three bogeys on Sunday afternoon are too many. But I am very proud the way I played.”
The Desert Swing of the European Tour moves next to Doha for the Qatar Masters from Jan. 26-29.
Fleetwood wins Abu Dhabi championship
Fleetwood wins Abu Dhabi championship
Smylie, Uihlein tied for lead entering first fourth round in LIV Golf history
- Smash GC’s Talor Gooch is third just 1 shot behind, the closest pursuer of 17 players within 6 shots of co-leaders
RIYADH: LIV Golf enters uncharted territory on Saturday at Roshn Group LIV Golf Riyadh.
The league’s first 72-hole regular-season tournament, part of the significant format adjustments made for the 2026 season, concludes with Saturday’s fourth round at Riyadh.
New LIV Golf player Elvis Smylie of Ripper GC and original league member Peter Uihlein of RangeGoats GC are tied for the lead at 16 under. Smash GC’s Talor Gooch is just a shot back, the closest pursuer of 17 players who are within six shots of the co-leaders.
In the team competition, Torque GC — fueled by the twin 7-under 65s by Mexican Olympic teammates Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz — are at 46 under, two shots ahead of Smash, who are seeking to deliver a victory to Gooch on his debut as captain. Ripper, eyeing next week’s home tournament at LIV Golf Adelaide, are another shot back.
Had the tournament been played under the old 54-hole format, Uihlein and Smylie would have had to settle things in a playoff on Friday. But now the leaders and contenders get 18 more holes to crown a champion.
“Yes, thanks for bringing that up,” laughed Uihlein, who has appeared in all 51 LIV Golf tournaments and is seeking his first league individual title.
“I feel like 72 holes fits me a little better. If you would have told me at the beginning of the week, hey, you’d be tied for the lead after 54 and you have a chance to win, that’s where you’d want to be. I’d take it. (I’m) looking forward to the challenge tomorrow.”
Smylie, 23, who is making his first LIV Golf start after joining the all-Australian Rippers last month, had never competed in the 54-hole format but is looking to send a message to his new competitors. He said he was in “total control” of his shots during Friday’s bogey-free 7-under 65.
“Without a doubt I want to prove my worth in this league, and I want to establish myself as one of the best guys in this league,” the left-hander said. “The best way to do that is by going out and making a statement this week.”
Ancer is among the group of players now getting a fourth round to chase a LIV Golf trophy instead of having to be satisfied with a high finish. The new Torque player won his first LIV Golf individual title two years ago in the 54-hole format while playing for Fireballs GC. He welcomes the opportunity to have an extra 18 holes to claim a second title.
“I feel like 54 holes was good enough to figure out who’s playing the best golf,” said Ancer, whose 65 was highlighted by a 50-foot-plus eagle putt.
“You just feel like it’s a little bit more of a sprint, have a little bit less time for you to make mistakes and come back from them. But then playing 72 holes, you feel like if you’re a steady player, that would maybe help you rise to the top of the leaderboard.”
Two of the steadiest LIV Golf players are Gooch and Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm, who have combined to win the last three season-long Individual Championships. They have each celebrated 13 trophies — individual and team successes — and are tied for the most in league history, remaining in contention for more hardware thanks to the additional fourth round.
Gooch, who follows the rule of 67 — everything takes care of itself by shooting 67 or better — shot his third consecutive 67 as he seeks a fifth individual tournament title.
Rahm shot his second 67 of the week and is tied for fourth with Ancer, Smash GC’s Jason Kokrak and 4Aces GC’s Thomas Detry, who, like Smylie, is making his league debut in Riyadh.
Despite increased winds and rainy weather on Friday, with players expecting the tougher conditions to impact scoring, the field shot its lowest average of the week, nearly 3.5 strokes under par during a lively third-round Moving Day.
Uihlein, who opened his round with four consecutive birdies en route to a 66, said: “It didn’t feel like it was easier than yesterday, but everyone went low.
“I’m expecting it to be a shootout, but we could come out here tomorrow and it’s blowing 15, 20 again, so you never know.”
