Fleetwood relishes home comforts in Dubai
DUBAI:TOMMY Fleetwood is relishing home comforts at this week’s Dubai Desert Classic as he looks to build on a host of impressive recent performances.
The Englishman now lives in Dubai and will stay at his own house in between rounds at Emirates Golf Club, where some of the world’s best players have gathered for the second Rolex Series event of the 2023 season.
Fleetwood has been in fine form in recent months, winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in November and finishing in the top five at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship a week later. He kicked off the New Year by captaining Great Britain & Ireland at the Hero Cup before puting in a solid display at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The 32-year-old has a good record at Emirates Golf Club, finishing in the top 20 in each of his last five appearances at this event, and he is happy to be back there this week. He said: “I think it’s a rare opportunity and a rare thing for prety much every one of us that we get to spend a week at home while playing in a tournament.
“I just love sleeping in my own bed. I love doing things in my own house.
“So it’s a bonus this week, absolutely is. “Just kind of makes things that litle bit more novel and comfortable, and no mater how much travelling you do, there’s nothing quite like being in your own home.”
Fleetwood sees this week’s event as a “dream tournament”, having enjoyed watching the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods lit the trophy in the past.
He added: “I think Emirates Golf Club has become an iconic venue, an iconic tournament and I was just saying before, I’m definitely of an age where I got to watch it a lot on TV as the tournament was building and building and having champions like Monty and Tiger and Ernie or people like that.
“I’ve sort of grown up in that generation where this is like a dream tournament to play in and win. It’s always been great coming back, and kind of a home event for me as well.
“It’s always nice coming here and seeing everybody, how hungry they are to start the season off well and playing a great venue.”
Jones wins Junior DUBAI Desert classic title: joe Jones of Great Britain had a day to remember as he made history by becoming the first winner of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic.
Hosted by the Dubai Desert Classic organisers, Falcon and Associates and Emirates Golf Federation, the two-day event provided a plaform for aspiring young local, regional and international golfers to gain competitive experience and tread on the same greens as the elite professional stars ahead of this weekend’s Dubai Desert Classic.
The tournament showcased the very best talent withthestarsoftomorrowproducingsomeimpressive performancesonthefamedfaldoandmajliscourses in championship conditions at Emirates Golf Club.
Ater two thrilling days of action, Jones carded a score of 143 — one under par to lit the trophy, finishing two shots ahead of runner-up Adrian Larson. Victor Kofod Olsen completed the podium ater finishing third. The young golfers received their prizes from Scotish legend Stephen Gallacher, winner of the 2013 and 2014 Dubai Desert Classic, and captain of the Junior Ryder’s Cup.
He was joined by Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Dubai Desert Classic, Akram Skaik, Director General of Emirates Golf Federation and Walid Al Atar, Senior Advisor to the CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, Founding Partner of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Speaking of his victory, Jones said: “It feels great to have won this title especially as it was in windy conditions which made it tough. The tournament is a great opportunity for young players as we get to play on the same course as the professionals. Obviously it was great to get the win here and I hope there are more wins for me in the future.”