Tommy Fleetwood is desperate to stop Rory McIlroy from cruising to a ‘boring’ Race to Dubai victory at this week’s HSBC Championships. McIlroy is hoping to take an unassailable lead with one event to spare by claiming the honours in Abu Dhabi.
The 35-year-old currently leads second-placed Thriston Lawrence by 1,572 points and is firmly on course to secure top spot. If he wins around Yas Links this weekend, he will be crowned Race to Dubai champion for the third year in a row.
Fleetwood, however, would prefer the battle to go down to the wire ahead of next week’s season finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
« It’d be nice to have a bit of jeopardy going into the final event and for it not to be already decided, » he said, before jokingly adding: « Rory McIlroy is boring, isn’t he? »
Fleetwood is joint-third heading into the final day of the HSBC Championship, with Paul Waring out in front on 18-under-par. If Fleetwood prevails and McIlroy fails to improve on his current position of joint-13th, it will blow the Race to Dubai wide open.
« It is not even wise to rule out Rory winning here, » added Fleetwood. « But yeah, just to have a chance going into the DP World Tour Championship would be great.
« You know, there was a run of years there from 2017 through 2019 that each time I went to the finale with the opportunity. I can’t do any more than go win-win and see where it leaves me, but it’ll be difficult enough to win this one. »
McIlroy remains the overwhelming favourite to win the Race to Dubai and claim the sixth Order of Merit of his career. Another triumph would leave him two adrift of Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight titles, which he won between 1993 and 2005.
The Northern Irishman recently explained that he was motivated by the idea of breaking the record before he eventually decides to call it quits.
« I would like to go down as the most successful European of all time, » said McIlroy. « Obviously, Race to Dubai wins would count to that, but also major championships.
« Hopefully I’ve got a few more Ryder Cups ahead of me as well. I think that is a goal that’s quite attainable over the next 10 years. »
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