The Race to Dubai Tommy Fleetwood (remember him and those trousers) held off the charge from Justin Rose to depose him as European No1 golfer. Fleetwood played some fabulous golf in Dubai after a nervy first round 73 to finish far enough up the leaderboard that was toing and froing constantly all day. Rosie had the look of the champion but 3 bogies on the back nine meant he was left to hole what would have been a dramatic 70 foot eagle on the last to steal the prize from under Fleetwood’s nose. Odds were against the Englishman although he did hole his birdie putt to no avail. So a great season for the Liverpudlian, Fleetwood who only 5 years ago needed a top 5 finish to secure his card in the last event that year! Rose will look back at what might have been, another major slipped by in the playoff with Sergio and being Europe’s No1 would look good on his glittering CV. Next year Justin, maybe next year! The actual tournament winner in Dubai was European Rookie of the Year, Jon Rahm, the Spaniard who in 18 months has come from US collegiate golf to world No 4, and doesn’t he deserve it. Every week the powerful Spaniard with the 3/4 swing is in the mix, a certainty for Europe’s Ryder Cup team next year, could he go there as a Major winner? European golf is strong, even if the stars are playing mostly in USA. With the likes of Fleetwood and Jordan Smith, it`s in good hands. Europe is trying to diversify their events to maintain and stimulate interest in the game, it will help but the best players will leave and go stateside. Europe can`t compete with the US finance but it`s still a great way to make a fabulous living.
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