Tommy Fleetwood Aims for World Number One After Stellar 2025 Season
Fleetwood’s Remarkable Rise to World Number Three
Tommy Fleetwood has set his sights on becoming the best golfer in the world as he starts 2026 at the Dubai Invitational riding high on the Official World Golf Ranking. The English golfer enters the new season with unprecedented momentum following a maiden win on the PGA TOUR, an eighth DP World Tour win and a starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory during the latter half of 2025.
His form across the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup play-offs last summer– culminating in that first win on that circuit at the TOUR Championship – elevated him to career-high sixth and since then, he has improved that lifetime best to third in the world rankings. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the 33-year-old, who has established himself as one of golf’s most consistent performers.
Challenging Scheffler and McIlroy for Top Spot
Despite his impressive ascent, Fleetwood remains realistic about the challenge ahead. Those two guys are definitely the best golfers in the world, he acknowledged when discussing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, who currently occupy the top two positions. However, his determination is clear: Starting the year in a different position than I’ve ever been, World Number Three, and I think that’s very cool and very exciting, Fleetwood stated.
The Dubai Invitational provides the perfect stage for the defending champion, who won the inaugural Dubai Invitational after pipping Rory McIlroy in a dramatic final day in 2024. Both players headline a strong field as the DP World Tour kicks off its 2026 season.
Consistency Built on Years of Excellence
Fleetwood’s recent success hasn’t come by chance. Fleetwood has missed just 11 cuts worldwide in five years while also racking up four victories, 13 other top threes and 28 other top tens across the same period. This remarkable consistency forms the foundation of his push towards the summit of world golf, though he admits there’s no secret formula to converting that consistency into more victories.
As the 2026 season unfolds, golf fans will watch closely to see whether Fleetwood can bridge the gap to Scheffler and McIlroy and achieve his ultimate ambition of becoming world number one.