Tommy Fleetwood loses out on winning his second Race to Dubai title as Jon Rahm birdies the 72nd hole to be crowned European number 1.

Fleetwood closed with a Sunday low-round 65 to post the lead in the clubhouse, only for the young Spaniard to sink a three-foot birdie putt to finish -19, one shot clear of the Southport man.

After Friday’s 36-hole report, Fleetwood was in the projected standings lead of the Race to Dubai, sitting a comfortable second in the tournament.

A stagnant Saturday 70 saw Tommy’s dreams of regaining European Number 1 status fading. A bogey on the par 4 ninth gave back the only birdie on his opening nine holes. Rallying on the scorable back nine, Fleetwood made two birdies to give himself a slight chance going into Sunday’s final round.

Fleetwood was joined by World Number 2, Rory McIlroy, who could’ve been competing with Tommy to represent Great Britain in the Tokyo Olympics next year, had he not opted for Ireland.

The pair set off in pursuit of Rahm and the impressive Frenchman, Mike Lorenzo-Vera. Fleetwood sat 4 shots off the lead, with McIlroy just 2 strokes back.

Making the turn into the back 9 Fleetwood was still five shots back of Rahm’s lead, now at -18. This is where Tommy started to produce some stellar Golf.

A stunning second shot into the 11th with the signature Fleetwood finish gave Tommy his first look at birdie on the inward nine. He would the go on to convert the putt confidently from 10 feet.

After a birdie on par 5 14th, the catalyst for the back nine bonanza came on the 15th with this outrageous 40ft putt.

With his Putter now red hot, the Southport man stood over another lengthy putt at 17. Tommy rolled it in to the joy of the patrons following. Now, Fleetwood just needed a birdie on the par 5 18th to tie Rahm’s lead and post the leading score in the clubhouse.

Coming up short of the green in two strokes, Fleetwood was faced with a tough an up-and-down third shot for the score-tying birdie. Notorious for his immaculate short game, Tommy produced one of the shots of the week.

A nervous wait in the clubhouse for Tommy was made easier as he was joined by his wife Clare and son Frankie.

Rahm, like Fleetwood, would go on to birdie the last, and win both the DP World Tour Championship and The Race to Dubai.

A disappointed Fleetwood reflected on the round, telling the European Tour: “I am very proud of the way I played on that back nine, but it was Jon’s (Rahm) time, Jon’s moment. He has played great this year and fair play, great birdie down the last.”

He added: “I made an unbelievable up-and-down at eighteen, definitely shot of the week for me, I managed to get it going a little bit, I was very close.”

Reflecting on the season he has had, Fleetwood said: “I am looking forward to a break, I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow with nothing to do.

“These last two weeks have painted the season in a brand-new light, a lot more satisfaction now then there was before. I’ll have a break and get ready to crack on next year.”

Ultimately Fleetwood finishes 2nd in The Race to Dubai, picking up a €803,418.03. Fleetwood has not published his schedule for 2020 but it is believe he will play both the European and PGA Tour simultaneously next season too.

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