Fleetwood ends on top as Rahm delights in Dubai
Tommy Fleetwood ended the season as Europe’s number one golfer as Justin Rose faltered down the stretch in Dubai
So what happened at the Race to Dubai?
A bogey-free final round 67 handed Rookie of the Year Jon Rahm the DP World Tour Championship title as he separated himself from the pack in style.
Five birdies, including three on the back nine, were enough to see the Spaniard outlast his rivals and secure his third win of the 2017 season.
The day began with Justin Rose the man to beat as he held a slender advantage over the chasing pack and Race to Dubai rival Tommy Fleetwood.
The Englishman looked unflappable and the race to finish as the 2017 European golfer of the year looked all but over as Rose flew out of the gates to card a 4-under 32 for his opening nine holes.
Fleetwood struggled to keep pace with Rose on top, but, on the 12th disaster struck for the 37-year-old. A bogey set off a horrible run for Rose as he found the water on the 14th before missing a short putt for par on 16.
Three dropped shots meant an eagle was a must for Rose standing on the 72nd hole and after finding the left rough from the tee box the odds looked against him.
Nevertheless the Olympic champion grabbed his three wood and drilled it up towards the green in what was his shot of the day to leave himself a monster 90-foot putt for the season title.
With Fleetwood watching on Rose gave his effort a smack and saw his effort sail just by the hole to hand Tommy his first Race to Dubai crown and end the season on top.
Final Race to Dubai standings:
- Tommy Fleetwood – 5,420,530
- Justin Rose – 4,921,062
- Jon Rahm – 4,602,281
- Sergio Garcia – 3,906,072
- Tyrrell Hatton – 3,237,346
- Ross Fisher – 2,942,728
- Rafa Cabrera Bello – 2,770,297
- Alex Noren – 2,483,867
- Francesco Molinari – 2,282,706
- Branden Grace – 2,252,135
Best Shots
Sunday
He's done it.
Jon Rahm wins the @DPWTC ? pic.twitter.com/g6tQKWrc5C
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
So you're telling me there's a chance….
Justin Rose has a 90 foot putt to win the #RaceToDubai. pic.twitter.com/eUD9bijOQW
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
With two holes to play, @JonRahmPGA leads. pic.twitter.com/JfOEs3HdHK
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
"Thank you gravity" pic.twitter.com/aUar9i6oO0
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
No putter needed pic.twitter.com/yPvYJfUIbI
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
Saturday
✓ Three wood
✓ PuttHow to play short par fours. pic.twitter.com/qT6XrNt4L8
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 18, 2017
On track… pic.twitter.com/BGCzmz5UlU
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 18, 2017
Never a doubt.#DPWTC pic.twitter.com/dcYCp83N8S
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 18, 2017
Flop shot eagle?
Dunne. pic.twitter.com/pwjn0ZqmUq
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 18, 2017
Friday
If ever a shot was worthy of a club twirl…
Now co-leader. pic.twitter.com/sdYecm6tch
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 17, 2017
Chipping… on the green?! pic.twitter.com/a172zfAUkb
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 17, 2017
What about this for a recovery?! pic.twitter.com/pZY4X9pz28
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 17, 2017
Eagle to move into the top three?
Dunne. pic.twitter.com/hsG72kLqx7
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 17, 2017
Thursday
Some players might have laid up.
Tommy Fleetwood made birdie. pic.twitter.com/fTrp81MeqY
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 17, 2017
The hottest player in golf right now.
Thanks to shots like this! pic.twitter.com/uWCEOulTIA
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 16, 2017
Best Dressed
We were big fans of Tommy’s get up on Saturday…
Worst Dressed
Sorry Scott…
Best stats
Justin Rose's last seven events:
• 10th
• 10th
• 2nd
• 10th
• Win ?
• Win ?
• 4th pic.twitter.com/Bx0kSQRHJk— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
? @DDFIrishOpen champion
? @DPWTC champion
? Rookie of the Year
? World Number 4Not bad for a 23 year old. pic.twitter.com/djXdb3kJSW
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
Best Tweets
Classy. pic.twitter.com/v6IiSb5L96
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
An emotional @TommyFleetwood1 learns that he is the 2017 #RaceToDubai champion. pic.twitter.com/ug9TbDNTUp
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 19, 2017
How many years have I been a pro @BBCSport ?!?! #JustinRose pic.twitter.com/AMhfypC0hH
— Justin Rose (@JustinRose99) November 16, 2017
Incredibly, we’ve got around 30 members of the Pepper-Army travelling out to Dubai. Such support. For the prison system in Dubai.
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) November 12, 2017
Wish I was playing the @DPWTC this morning but it's come a week too early for me to compete with the boys at @JumeirahGolfEst … Wish all the @europeantour players the best of luck this week – I'll be back soon! ?⛳?️
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) November 16, 2017
Rahm is the European Tour Rookie of the Year – get over it
Q School notebook: Poulter’s protege, Jigger’s in, and my biggest thrill of 2018
Jon Rahm Swing Sequence: How he bombs it miles
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
