Southport golfer Tommy Fleetwood is celebrating pipping Rory McIlroy on the final hole to win the Dubai Invitational.
Tommy found birdies on the 17th and 18th to snatch the lead back from Rory McIlroy and win a sensational victory.
He posted on his Instagram page: “Winning is hard. Thanks to everyone who is by my side every step of the way.
“This one in front of family and friends here in Dubai means so much to me!!
“Thank you Abdullah for such a great event…See you at work.”
Rory McIlroy took the solo lead at the 15th and looked to be on course for victory.
But his tee shot found the water on the 18th and a bogey saw him drop a shot at the final moment
McIlroy headed into the final hole with a one-shot lead after five birdies across the back nine saw the momentum swing in his favour.
However, his tee shot on the final hole found the water and as he settled for a bogey, Fleetwood sunk the incredible 16-foot birdie to claim victory in Dubai.
It was a sensational round once again from Fleetwood, five birdies and one bogey sealing a 67, and his highlight came at the 10th as an incredible bunker shot set him up beautifully for his third birdie.
Tommy Fleetwood told Sky Sports: “It was great. I think I was very happy with the way I played today for the large majority of the round,” said Fleetwood.
“I didn’t hole some of the putts that I wanted to and it was great watching one of the world’s best players in golf in Rory, watching the way he attacked the back nine.
“It was just up and down towards the end. Sloppy bogey on 16th. But birdie, birdie on 17 and 18.
“I was playing very well, I was hitting very solid. I felt very controlled in my game and it was just a case of staying patient.
“It feels amazing winning. I obviously don’t win as much as I would like to.
“This is where I live and I have a lot of support and it is great to kick off the year with a good result and push on from here.”
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