Tommy Fleetwood’s reaction to another Rory McIlroy major-less season speaks volumes
“Tommy Fleetwood’s Take on Rory McIlroy: A Decade Without Majors, But a Legacy of Consistency”
In the world of professional golf, few narratives carry the weight of expectation quite like that surrounding Rory McIlroy. The 35-year-old Northern Irishman, with four career major titles to his name, remains one of the sport’s most iconic figures. However, his decade-long drought in major championships continues to be a talking point. As another season draws to a close, McIlroy finds himself both celebrated and scrutinized—a duality perfectly captured by his European Ryder Cup teammate, Tommy Fleetwood.
Fleetwood, a 33-year-old Englishman renowned for his thoughtful insights, has never shied away from praising his peers. Speaking ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, Fleetwood offered a compelling assessment of McIlroy’s 2024 season. Despite falling short in his pursuit of a major championship for the 10th consecutive year, McIlroy’s achievements this year reaffirm his position among golf’s elite, Fleetwood believes.
McIlroy’s Rollercoaster Year
The year 2024 has been a tapestry of near-misses and triumphs for McIlroy. Starting the season with a bang, he successfully defended his title at the Dubai Desert Classic in January, setting the tone for another strong campaign. On the PGA Tour, McIlroy teamed up with Shane Lowry to clinch victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and claimed the Wells Fargo Championship with characteristic flair.
However, it’s McIlroy’s performances in major championships that continue to dominate the narrative. His agonizing loss at the U.S. Open, where missed putts on the closing holes allowed Bryson DeChambeau to seize victory, was a stark reminder of how fine the margins are in golf. That defeat marked another chapter in a story that began a decade ago—McIlroy’s last major triumph came on August 10, 2014, at the PGA Championship.
Yet, beyond the heartache, there lies a remarkable consistency. McIlroy has accumulated an impressive 11 top-five finishes this season, a testament to his enduring brilliance. He also holds a commanding lead in the DP World Tour Rankings, putting him on the cusp of securing his third consecutive Race to Dubai title and sixth overall.
Fleetwood’s Perspective on McIlroy
In Fleetwood’s eyes, McIlroy’s season is nothing short of extraordinary. While the absence of a major title is notable, Fleetwood argues that McIlroy’s ability to contend week after week speaks volumes about his skill and resilience.
“I think Rory has had a great year,” Fleetwood remarked. “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.”
Fleetwood emphasized the unique standard to which McIlroy is held—a burden few athletes could shoulder with such grace. “Of course, Rory is held to a higher standard than pretty much everybody else in the world of golf. 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,” he added.
For Fleetwood, McIlroy’s consistency is a hallmark of greatness. “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.”
Fleetwood’s Own Ambitions
While Fleetwood is quick to commend McIlroy, he also has aspirations of his own. The World No.9 has enjoyed a solid 2024 season, marked by a victory at the Dubai International earlier in the year, where he edged out McIlroy in a thrilling finish. Despite this early success, Fleetwood has been unable to add to his trophy haul, a fact he’s keenly aware of heading into the DP World Tour Championship.
The seven-time DP World Tour winner has recorded six top-five finishes this year, including a commendable T6 at the Abu Dhabi Championship just weeks ago. Fleetwood, who resides in Dubai, is determined to capitalize on the home crowd advantage as he chases a maiden DP World Tour Championship title.
“It would mean a lot,” Fleetwood admitted. “I think basing ourselves here these days, there’s going to be—well, hopefully—a lot of familiar faces out there watching. I think this tournament is up there with a handful of Flagship Events of our tour, very important events. I’ve always loved this trophy and always wanted to hold it, and I never quite got there yet.”
The Major Question for Fleetwood
Fleetwood himself is no stranger to the pressures of unfulfilled potential. Widely regarded as one of the best players without a major championship or a PGA Tour title, Fleetwood came tantalizingly close this season with a T3 finish at The Masters. That result marked his seventh top-five finish at a major, reinforcing his reputation as a perennial contender.
Looking ahead to 2025, Fleetwood is optimistic. With The 153rd Open set to take place at Royal Portrush—a venue where he finished solo second behind Shane Lowry in 2019—Fleetwood has every reason to believe his time will come.
“I think 2025 could be the year,” Fleetwood mused recently. “Portrush holds special memories for me, and I feel like my game is in a place where I can really challenge for that first major.”
The Broader Legacy
For both McIlroy and Fleetwood, the 2024 season serves as a reminder of the fine line between success and failure in professional golf. While McIlroy grapples with the weight of unmet expectations, Fleetwood continues his quest to etch his name into golf’s history books.
As the DP World Tour Championship unfolds, both players will aim to end the season on a high note. For McIlroy, a Race to Dubai triumph would reaffirm his dominance on the European stage. For Fleetwood, a victory in Dubai would provide a fitting conclusion to a year of near-misses and set the stage for what could be a career-defining 2025.
