01/17/2024
The Week in Golf
(Ref) https://www.compleatgolfer.com/dp-world-tour/fleetwood-wins-dubai-invitational-in-dramatic-finish/
This past week in the world of golf has been one of the most dramatic in recent memory. Tiger Woods has split with Nike, Keith Pelley is leaving his position as the CEO of the DP World Tour, and we saw two fantastic finishes at the Sony Open and Dubai International.
Here’s a quick recap of what happened and what we can look forward to this week.
1.
Fleetwood edges thriller in Dubai International
Tommy Fleetwood won his first title in over two years, emerging victorious in a gripping battle with fellow European Ryder Cup member Rory McIlroy in this year’s Dubai International.
Heading into the final round with a slim one-stroke lead, McIlroy threw his advantage away with a disappointing three-putt on the 14th green.
Recovering well, McIlroy had reestablished his lead heading up the last. However, disaster would strike as he would bomb his tee shot into the water and could only make a bogey.
That left the door open for Fleetwood, who would win the tournament with a birdie. With the opportunity to win it from ten feet, the Englishman grabbed it with both hands, rattling home a putt into the center of the cup.
Attentions now turn to next week’s Dubai Desert Classic, where McIlroy will be looking to defend the title he won last year.
2.
Grayson Murray prevails in Sony Open playoff
Grayson Murray won his second PGA title in dramatic fashion when edging both Keegan Bradley and Byeong Hun An in a playoff at this year’s Sony Open.
Replaying the 18th hole, Murray stunned his rivals when draining a forty-foot putt to secure a crucial birdie.
With both Bradley and An needing to match Murray’s effort, both missed their putts to secure Murray the memorable win.
The move will see Murray enter the world’s top 50 for the very first time.
Woods leaves Nike
3.
Tiger Woods sent shockwaves through the golfing community when he announced that his 27-year partnership with Nike was coming to an end.
With Nike gradually withdrawing from the golfing world, it makes perfect sense that a waning Woods and Nike would come to a mutual agreement to end their partnership.
It remains to be seen who will sponsor Woods next.
4.
Pelley seeks pastures new
Keith Pelley’s eight-and-a-half year tenure as the CEO of the DP World Tour is set to come to an end, with Pelley taking up a new role with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
Pelley leaves the DP World Tour with the future of golf very much in the balance. With an agreement between PIF and the PGA Tour still needing to be struck, golf still remains divided. Pelley has committed to joining the warring PGA and LIV tours together before his departure, but it remains to be seen how long that will take.
What to look forward to this week
The action doesn’t stop this week, with both the DP World Tour and PGA Tours continuing to roll.
5.
The Middle Eastern swing continues for some of Europe’s finest players as they compete for the Dubai Desert Classic. Rory McIlroy headlines a star-studded field, which includes Tommy Fleetwood, Rasmus Højgaard, and Tyrell Hatton.
The PGA Tour will move to California for the first time this season for the American Express. A stellar field awaits, with Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns all due to tee it up.
Tommy Fleetwood produced a stunning birdie-birdie finish to hold off the challenge of Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence and win the Dubai Invitational.
