Tommy Fleetwood defends Rory McIlroy after ‘amazing’ season

Tommy Fleetwood insists Rory McIlroy has had an ‘amazing’ season, despite his near misses.

McIlroy, 35, faced scrutiny for failing to get over the line at the US Open in June and the Amgen Irish Open in September, in particular.

Yet the Northern Irishman logged 11 top five finishes in 2024 and is in position to win a sixth Race to Dubai title this week.

And Fleetwood says criticism levelled at his Ryder Cup teammate has been a result of his consistency.

“I think Rory has had a great year,” Fleetwood said from the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

“Of course, I think it’s easy for everyone to look at what could have happened if things go a little different way.

“But at the same time, you only get to talk about those things if he is consistently up there with a chance of winning week-in, week-out.

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“He’s shown amazing consistency. So close to winning a major, so close to winning a bunch of events while winning a few at the same time.

“You know, it’s obviously not over yet but he’s in with a very good chance and he has a chance of winning another Race to Dubai title.”

After a fourth runners-up finish of the season on home soil, McIlroy said he hoped the ‘tide would turn’ and he could turn those into victories soon.

That was before falling to Billy Horschel in a play-off at Wentworth just seven days later.

He is yet to add to his Hero Dubai Desert Classic triumph, or his Wells Fargo Championship success, but Fleetwood reinstated his belief that McIlroy is among golf’s greats.

“Of course, Rory is held to a higher standard than pretty much everybody else in the world of golf,” the Englishman added.

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“But I think he’s shown amazing golf again this year, and he’s shown why he’s one of the best to ever do it.”

The four-time major champ currently holds a strong lead over Thriston Lawrence in the DP World Tour’s season-long standings.

It would be the sixth time McIlroy’s clinched the honour, matching Seve Ballesteros’ total.

Meanwhile, Fleetwood heaped praise on another of his European counterparts, none other than Robert MacIntyre.

“Bob has had a fantastic year,” he said. “[He] has gone from strength-to-strength, and I think it’s been great to see.

“Another one of those players that obviously keeps you motivated to keep trying to improve and compete with all these guys.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.