Tommy Fleetwood snatches Dubai Invitational after late Rory McIlroy capitulation

It’s Dubai, so of course Rory McIlroy was contending right to the last. And yet a glitch in the matrix from times past reared its head at just the wrong time to deprive him of victory in the first Dubai Invitational.

Instead, Tommy Fleetwood carried off the title, after birdieing the last hole of the tournament.

While McIlroy is usually the most popular player at most tournaments he plays, Fleetwood is much loved, too, especially round the fairways of Dubai – where he is now resident.

His last-day playing partner, McIlroy, started the final hole with a one-stroke lead over him and Thristan Lawrence, who was already in the club house at 18-under par.

The world No 2’s chances were lanced, though, by a bogey which was brought about by a trip to the water.

That is not without precedent. Two years ago, McIlroy gave up the Dubai Desert Classic title to Viktor Hovland by finding water at the last at Emirates Golf Club.

Back then, he dunked his approach to the 18th green into the middle of the pond which protects the front.

This time around, he hooked his tee-shot on the 72nd hole at Dubai Creek and Yacht club into the body of water which gives the course its name.

Fleetwood, meanwhile, was a picture of poise. He arrowed his drive to the middle of the fairway, knocked his approach to 16ft, and holed the putt for the birdie which gave him a winning score of 19-under par

Drama at the 72nd hole!