Tommy Fleetwood is set to compete in his first event of the year at the Dubai Invitational
Jake Bayliss
15:00, 15 Jan 2026
Tommy Fleetwood will have the luxury of sleeping in his own bed as he tees off at the Dubai Invitational. The Ryder Cup hero relocated from the UK to Dubai in 2022.
The last calendar year was one to savour for Fleetwood, who finally won his first PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship in August. A month later, the 34-year-old was central to Team Europe’s iconic Ryder Cup victory on US soil.
The English golfer, who is married to his long-term manager Clare, will look to continue his success in the New Year, with the Dubai Invitational marking his first event of 2026. The action begins on Thursday and 2024 champion Fleetwood will have the benefit of home advantage after moving to the United Arab Emirates.
Fleetwood and his wife Clare, who is 23 years his senior, decided to live in Dubai almost four years ago. The couple share three children, two of whom are from Clare’s previous marriage.
The move certainly seems to have benefited Fleetwood, who has achieved numerous career highlights since leaving the UK. The fan favourite signed off for 2025 by tying for third at the DP World Tour Championship, held in Dubai, and Fleetwood spoke glowingly of his new surroundings ahead of the tournament.
"This is the last event I’ll play this year and it’s been an amazing one," Fleetwood said in November. "It would be incredible to finish it off with a win. My whole family is here, there are so many familiar faces, and the course is just around the corner from home.
"I’ve had a couple of good chances in this tournament over the years, but I’d like to do better this time — give myself more opportunities. I can picture that winning moment on the 18th green; I know it so well. We’ll give it everything.
"The course has become such an iconic venue for us on Tour. And it’s always nice to be sleeping in my own bed again."
Fleetwood finished fifth in the season-long Race to Dubai rankings. His points tally included a victory at the DP World India Championship in October.
The popular golfer has previously demonstrated his willingness to establish roots in Dubai by opening an academy at the Jumeirah Golf Estates. In 2024, Fleetwood discussed how the sport was growing in the country he now calls home.
"You have iconic golf courses," Fleetwood said. "People watch tournaments played on these courses year-in, year-out and I think people are very, very passionate about the game.
"I don't know what the numbers are, but there's definitely a strong ratio for people playing the game. I think more golf courses will be built. I think more people will take up the game and I think it will keep growing here. So it definitely has a strong place in the world of golf."
Fleetwood is part of a strong field at the Dubai Invitational that includes Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Shane Lowry. The winner will claim the £347,672 top prize.