Fleetwood Denies McIlroy in Dubai Invitational

Tommy Fleetwood - File Photo by Reuters
Tommy Fleetwood - File Photo by Reuters
TT

Fleetwood Denies McIlroy in Dubai Invitational

Tommy Fleetwood - File Photo by Reuters
Tommy Fleetwood - File Photo by Reuters

Tommy Fleetwood conjured up a birdie-birdie finish to deny Rory McIlroy and win the Dubai Invitational on Sunday.

"It was amazing winning," Englishman Fleetwood said. "Like almost everybody else in the world of golf, I don't win anywhere near as much as I would like to but just that winning feeling great."

Fleetwood enjoyed a one-shot lead over McIlroy going into the fourth round.

And he was a model of consistency until ceding the lead after a bogey at the 16th.

He was still one shot back on the 18th tee after he and McIlroy both birdied the penultimate hole, according to AFP.

But as the Northern Irishman found the water and made a bogey, Fleetwood holed from 16 feet for a 67, a 19 under total and a seventh DP World Tour title.

South African Thriston Lawrence finished alongside McIlroy at 18 under, two clear of England's Jordan Smith and three ahead of 2018 British Open champion Francesco Molinari.

Fleetwood is based in Dubai.

"This is obviously where I live and have a lot of support," he said. "It's great to kick off the year with a great result and push on from here.

"I was very happy with the way I played today for the large majority of the round, felt like I didn't hole some of the putts that I wanted to.

"I just stayed patient and kept playing. I knew I was playing very, very well, and even the last two holes, played 17 and 18 great."

McIlroy said he was rusty.

"I think first week back out, I think you're going to expect some of those sloppy mistakes and unfortunately for me those mistakes came at the wrong time today," he said.

"Just need to tidy up some of the edges and if I do that, I feel good going into next week."



Former Real Madrid, PSG Goalkeeper Keylor Navas Joins Newell's Old Boys on Free Transfer

 Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
TT

Former Real Madrid, PSG Goalkeeper Keylor Navas Joins Newell's Old Boys on Free Transfer

 Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo

Former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas joined the Argentinian club Newell's Old Boys on a free transfer on Wednesday, The AP reported.

The 38-year-old Costa Rican, who recently retired from international soccer, won three Champions League titles with Real but has not played since the end of his stint in Paris last May.

“Thank God we are returning to the pitch," Navas said on his social media accounts. "I feel ready, willing and very happy to take this new challenge.”

Newell's, Lionel Messi's boyhood club, is based in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of Buenos Aires.

Newell's called Navas “an international legend” on social media. He has played in the last three World Cups for his country.

The length of his deal with Newell's has not been disclosed.