Tommy Fleetwood's reaction to another Rory McIlroy major-less season speaks volumes

Tommy Fleetwood believes Rory McIlroy has still had a "great year" despite failing to win a major for a 10th consecutive season. 

Fleetwood, 33, made his feelings be known about his European Ryder Cup teammate Mcilroy, 35, ahead of this week's season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. 

McIlroy holds a commanding lead atop the DP World Tour Rankings as he closes in on a third consecutive Race to Dubai and sixth overall. 

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Despite an agonising loss to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open, where he missed two short putts on the closing holes, McIlroy successfully defended the Dubai Desert Classic in January and won twice on the PGA Tour at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (alongside Shane Lowry) and Wells Fargo Championship. 

McIlroy has also registered an impressive 11 top-five finishes in total ahead of this week's final event of the season in Dubai. 

But the Northern Irishman has now unthinkably gone a full 10 years without adding to his haul of four career majors.

McIlroy's last major title dates back to 10 August 2014 at the US PGA. 

Tommy Fleetwood piles praise on Rory McIlroy 

In the eyes of Fleetwood, the World No.3 has shown "amazing consistency" throughout 2024 and will be thoroughly deserving of another Race to Dubai title on Sunday should it happen. 

Fleetwood said of McIlroy's season: 

"I think Rory has had a great year. 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.

"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.

"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."

As for his own season, Fleetwood is ready to end things on a high note. 

Fleetwood won early out the gate this season at the Dubai International - where he pipped McIlroy to the post - but he has not managed to add to his trophy haul in 2024.

The seven-time DP World Tour winner has six top-five finishes around the world so far this season and he arrives in Dubai off the back of a solid T6 in Abu Dhabi. 

The popular Englishman, who resides in Dubai, has never won the DP World Tour Championship after a number of close calls in the past.

But the World No.9 very much intends to set the record straight this week. 

Fleetwood said: 

"It would mean a lot. I think basing ourselves here these days, I think 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."

Fleetwood is considered by many as the best player without a major to his name. 

Or a PGA Tour title for that matter. 

Fleetwood came close this season with a T3 at The Masters.

That marked his seventh top-five finish at a major championship. 

Could 2025 finally be the year for Fleetwood?

You have to believe there is every chance, especially at Portrush for The 153rd Open in July. 

Fleetwood finished solo second - his best result at a major - behind Shane Lowry in 2019. 

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