Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard has won the DP World Tour Championship after producing a blistering finish in Dubai, a victory that he described as the “sweetest” of his career so far.
Despite Rory McIlroy already being named Race to Dubai champion before the week began, it proved to be a thrilling back nine on the Earth Course, with Højgaard (64), who was two shots behind with six to play, reeling off five birdies in the final six holes.
It should have been six in six, but the Dane missed a five-footer on the final hole that would have spared him a nervous 15-minute wait to see whether he’d be needed to head back out for a playoff.
However, when Fleetwood uncharacteristically three-putted the 17th – which meant that the Englishman, along with Viktor Hovland and overnight leader Matt Wallace – needed to eagle the 18th to force extra holes, the 22-year-old Dane was able to sit a little more comfortably.
And when Fleetwood’s third shot from the fairway failed to drop, Højgaard could celebrate his third DP World Tour title and a first Rolex Series event.
“This one is for the family,” said a tearful Højgaard, who can now call himself a world’s top 50 player. “Everything they have put in over the years.”
Overnight leader Matt Wallace (69), who made nine consecutive birdies on the back nine yesterday, didn’t do a lot wrong on Sunday, but the putts that found the center of the cup the day before refused to drop.
Fleetwood (68), meanwhile, looked favorite at one stage, following a scintillating birdie, eagle start. However, he was powerless to stop a charging Højgaard on the back nine, and had to settle for a share of second alongside Wallace and Viktor Hovland, another player who had led on the final day.
Masters champion Jon Rahm (66) produced a spectacular finish of his own to put himself in contention late in the day, but the Spaniard eventually ran out of holes.
Race to Dubai champion McIlroy rarely got out of third gear by his own high standards, although given that he came to Dubai on the back of a seven-week break, that was perhaps no great surprise.
After getting his hands on the spectacular Race to Dubai trophy for a fifth time, Europe's number one said: “It’s amazing to be up there with Seve [Ballesteros] and Monty [Colin Montgomerie], the greats of European golf.
“It doesn’t have to stop there. I want to kick on now and try and win more Majors. We keep going forward.”
The week belonged to 22-year-old Højgaard, who added: “It’s hard to put into words what’s just happened. “I was pretty nervous out there.
“It feels amazing closing it out. It feels unreal. It’s hard to put it into words, but this one feels great.”
DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD
- -21 N.HOJGAARD
- -19 FLEETWOOD, HOVLAND, WALLACE
DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP QUICK LINKS
UPDATES FROM:
Good morning
Welcome to the final day of the DP World Tour Championship. You join us as Bob MacIntyre chips in. Leaders doing their final prep on the range. Can Matt Wallace hold off the big names stacking up behind? It's going to be an exciting final day in desert. Rory McIlroy might already of been crowned the Race to Dubai champion, but there are 10 PGA Tour cards up for grabs. Plenty to play for.
LEADERS ARE OFF
Fleetwood has the honor at the 454-yard opener. Rips one down the center of the fairway. Wallace flies one into the fairway trap - looked like a bit of a tug. We're off.
TIED AT THE TOP
Wallace runs his long putt a good way past after a pretty good fairway bunker shot. Fleetwood left himself 113 yards with a wedge and went right at it. Rolls it in. We're tied at the top.
MCILROY SIX BACK
A check on our Race to Dubai champion. He won't be winning today - the Ulsterman is six back and two under for his round.
HOVLAND JOINS THE LEADERS
We have three at -16. It's going to be one of those days - lots of changes at the top. I'm predicting a playoff. Hovland plays a delightful bunker shot at the par-5 2nd. Leaves himself an 8-footer for birdie - and the Norwegian converts it.
FLEETWOOD FLYING
Birdie, eagle start. Fleetwood is in the zone. Three perfect shots at the par-5 2nd. Wallace can only make a par after leaking his approach to the right. Tommy is two clear. What a start by the Englishman.
TOMMY THROWING DARTS
A chance to go -4 through 3. Fleetwood is not holding back. Leads by two and is looking to keep his foot to the pedal. 10 foot at the most at the 3rd.
THAT TOMMY EAGLE
.@TommyFleetwood1 eagles the second to lead the season finale by two shots 🙌 #DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/RxQhTQT6ObNovember 19, 2023
Here's how Tommy took the tournament by the scruff of the neck.
CLOSE!
Fleetwood misses the chance to extend his lead on the 3rd. Just the three under through three. Remains two clear with that missed 10-footer - it just shaves the edge of the cup.
HOJGAARD WITHIN 3
A lovely mid range putt drops for the Dane, who gets to within three shots of Fleetwood. Meanwhile, Wallace plays a beauty into the long par-3 4th, right over the top of the flag. He needed that, been a bit of a slow start from the Englishman.
LEAD BACK TO ONE
A bogey for our leader. Tee shot to blame on the 4th, left him a tough up-and-down from the sand. Hovland, meanwhile, to within one with a lovely putt on the 5th.
LEADER FIGHTING ON 5
Both Tommy and Matt have work to do on 5 - the former is up against the collar off the green and Matt is wide and facing a very lengthy putt. Wallace did well to find the putting surface with his approach, in fairness, with the ball sitting well done in the rough. Time for a cuppa and a slice of toast...
NEW LEADER?
Up on the 7th, Hojgaard will have an eagle chip, which could be to take the lead. Elsewhere, Rahm is -13. Will he still have a say?
SLOPPY FROM NICOLAI
Big chance gone. Greenside in two at the par-5 7th and he takes three more from just off the putting surface. That's going to annoy the Dane. Wouldn't want to be that golf ball on the 8th. Tommy remains your leader by one.
SPARE A THOUGHT FOR JOOST
Taking tree trouble to the next level 🌳@joostluiten threw his driver into a tree and then loses two more clubs trying to retrieve it! #DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/uOqUmPyxZmNovember 19, 2023
Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear.
TIED AGAIN
Wallace makes his first birdie of the day at the 6th to get to -17. It puts him back on top of the leaderboard with Tommy, who can't convert from about 15 feet.
THREE AT THE TOP
Okay, so now Hovland shares the lead. This is tight. Can anyone break clear? Half an hour ago it looked as though that might be Fleetwood, but his two-shot lead has disappeared.
CHAMP CHECK
Rory is back at -9. He's just tapped in on the 13th. The Race to Dubai champion hasn't hit top gear this week, but that's understandable given that he's been enjoying a seven-week break.
FOUR-HORSE RACE?
Could be a bit soon to call this, but we currently have Hovland, Fleetwood and Wallace at -17, with N. Hojgaard on -16. Langasque is then at -14. Back to the action, Fleetwood plays his third into the par-5 7th and he'll have a 12-footer down the hill for a birdie.
NEW LEADER
Just as we say that, Hovland rolls in a 12-footer for birdie at the 8th. He gets it to -18. New leader.
BOGEY FOR WALLACE
A poor six from Wallace on the 7th. Our new leader, Hovland, misses the fairway on the 9th. Fleetwood, meanwhile, facing a slick downhill putt for birdie on the 7th misses... just.
LEADERS STRUGGLING
It's not straightforward out there. Hovland, Fleetwood and Wallace have all some loose ones in the last few minutes and find themselves scrambling to make par. This is what the chasing pack need, a rare glimmer of hope for those behind maybe? Hovland is human. Misses his par effort from 8 feet down the slope. We're tied at the top... again.
SHOT (PUTT) OF THE DAY
Fleetwood with his linksy skills putts from way off the green on the 8th, almost makes it! What a putt - that was exceptional judgement from the Merseyside man. Wallace tidies up, too, for another terrific par.
HOJGAARD JOINS THE PARTY
Now Nicolai joins the leaders. They're are currently three of them, with Hovland and Fleetwood also at -17. Not long now until everyone is through the front nine. What a couple of hours we have in store. Rory may have wrapped up the Race to Dubai title, but we could have some fireworks on the back nine. Plenty to play for for a number of other players, too, with 10 PGA Tour cards up for grabs. Who is going to pick up those golden tickets? We'll update you on that shortly. Needless to say, it's not an easy calculation to make - and it keeps changing.
RAHM NOT OUT OF IT
Jon Rahm needs birdie - lots of them. He's three back. It doesn't sound a lot, but there's quite a bit of quality between him and the top of the leaderboard.
HATTON GETS HOT
What a back nine from one of Europe's Ryder Cup stars. He comes home in 29. Too little, too late on the day, but a fine finish from the Englishman. There are plenty of low scores out there. Bogeys on the back nine today are going to feel like doubles. Meanwhile, Wallace makes the turn on -16, which is where he started the day. No great damage done, but needs a spark to get things going.
HERE COMES JON
Rahm makes his birdie at the 13th, and he gets to -15, just two shots back. He couldn't, could he?
FLEETWOOD BACK ON TOP
Fleetwood is right on the money on the 10th, looking to kickstart his round on the back nine. He's been quiet after that explosive birdie, eagle start. The Englishman plays a delightful flick into the green to set up a very makable birdie putt. Ahead on the 12th, joint leader Hojgaard is scrambling to make his par, but he can play a nice flick, too. Wedge play of the highest quality. Leaves himself five feet for par. Fleetwood tidies up to get back to -18. Four shots currently covering the top 10.
MISTAKE FROM NICOLAI
Hjogaard misses his short range putt - first real mistake of the day from the Dane and it could be a costly one. After Fleetwood's birdie, he drops two shots back. Rahm, meanwhile, is looking to continue his charge. He's going for the green in two at the 14th... not a bad leave.
NEW LEADER
Not sure who this guy is, but he's just joined the leaders at the top of the leaderboard. He's hitting the ball some serious distances with those plastic clubs. Loving the shirt.
PEREZ 3 BACK
Four birdies in five holes from the Frenchman. Meanwhile, Hjogaard responds to his bogey at 12 with a birdie on 13. The champ finishes up on 18 (-10). McIlroy is now just one behind Seve with five Race to Duabi titles.
TOMMY TWO CLEAR
Back-to-back birdies for Tommy. He's hit the re-set button. Now leads Hjogaard and Hovland by two shots.
COMING TO AMERICA
Adrian Meronk, who just missed out on making the Ryder Cup, gets that PGA Tour card - that is official. Well played, Adrian. It's been quite the season for the Pole.
MAJOR BLOW FOR LANGASQUE
Never a good time to find the water. But that is awful timing. The Frenchman is chasing one of those coveted PGA Tour cards and he's wet on 18.
RAHM TO -17
Is it too late? He's just two back now with three birdies on the spin. A tap in on the 16th. Chances to come as well with three holes left to play for the Spaniard. He might need a bit of help from Tommy at -19, but the Englishman is looking quite assured at the top of the leaderboard. It's a hard one to call. Fleetwood would love to get it to -20 and give himself a bit of breathing space, and just make the others try and come at him, maybe force a few errors.
LEADER THROUGH 13
Tommy Fleetwood has five holes left to play and has a one shot lead over N. Hjogaard. Rahm has a 20-footer for birdie ahead on 16 to get to -18. It's been quite the charge from the Spaniard, who doesn't like being out of the conversation. Hovland with a superb lag putt on the par-5 14th, which should see him get to within one. Rahm misses his putt on 16 - it just grazes the left side of the cup. Only two back but just two shots left. I'm calling -21 gets this done.
HJOGAARD TO -19
The Dane is back in business after that short miss a few holes ago. Holes another one to get to -19, and he now shows the lead with Fleetwood, who has just hit a violent hook back on the 14th. It's a par 5, though, so no real damage done by the looks of it. More of a worry will be where that swing came from.
HJOGAARD TAKES CONTROL
Fleetwood plays a beautiful third out of thick cabbage, somehow managing to land it just short and hold the green. It gives him a good look at birdie, which he can't have been expecting after the hooked second. He can't take advantage, though. Hovland also misses a good chance up ahead. Wallace gets to within two, finally getting one to drop on 14. Hjogaard sticks one in very close on 16. Very close. That's going to see him get to -20. He will lead.
THE BUSINESS END
Here we go then. Nicolai Højgaard has hit the front in the closing stages, but the Dane is just one clear as we head into the final few holes. Elsewhere, Meronk has his PGA Tour card. Pavon and Lawrence (66) are in a battle of their own for a card. Meanwhile, Fleetwood with a timely birdie on 15 to join Højgaard at -20. It won't be for long, surely, as the Dane has thrown a dart into the 17th.
RASMUS WET ON 18
Nicolai Højgaard is out in front, but his brother Rasmus isn't too far back. He's going for one of those PGA Tour cards. He's pressing hard, maybe too hard because he's wet on 18. Maybe he had to take that aggressive shot on, but he's found the water. Lots of late drama here in Dubai.
HOJGAARD CONVERTS
The deadly Dane has just made his fifth birdie on the spin. Must be on the same stuff as Wallace, who made nine in a row yesterday. He's retaken the lead after Fleetwood had just joined him. Can't take your eyes off of this.
WALLACE FOR THREE IN A ROW...
Misses. It was a good putt, but they've just not dropped for the Englishman today. He still has a glimmer but he'll need Nicolai to make an error on 18, which isn't looking likely. It's looking like it's between just two players now - Nicolai and Tommy. I have been wrong before now, though, once or twice.
TOMMY TIDIES UP
Fleetwood holds his nerve over a three-footer on the 16th. Just two to play and he's a shot back. What can the Englishman find over the closing two holes? He's not done a lot wrong today - Højgaard has just had a very special hour-and-a-half.
MAN OF THE MOMENT
Nicolai Højgaard is the first man to -20! Four birdies in a row for the Dane sees him take the lead.#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/zwtkgFrjc6November 19, 2023
It's been a masterclass from Nicolai over the last 90 minutes or so. One hand on the title...
ONE HAND ON THE TROPHY
A tester on the 18th. If Nicolai makes it, that'll be six consecutive birdies to finish. Inspirational stuff.
NICOLAI MISSES
Now, will that prove costly? Nicolai misses from about five feet on the last, so just a par at the last. The door is ajar for Tommy. I think we're going to have a playoff.... maybe.
EAGLES REQUIRED
Tommy three putts at 17. This is the situation: Wallace, Hovland and Fleetwood need eagle 3s at the last to force a playoff. That's not going to happen for Hovland. He's wet.
MAKE THAT ONE-AND-A-HALF HANDS
Wallace is wet on 18. Now Fleetwood on 18. Wide. He's on the bark. Start the cars. Nicolai will be relieved.
Nicolai Højgaard Wins DP World Tour Championship
It's DP World Tour title number three for Nicolai Højgaard. Fleetwood needed to hole his approach to force a playoff, but it's not to be. Both he and Wallace gave it everything. Not a lot you can do when someone finishes with five birdies (should have been six) in six holes. Fleetwood had 95 yards into the green there - not a tough shot but it had to drop. The crowd wanted a playoff.
