We have seen plenty of nail-biting finales already on the DP World Tour in 2024.
There are plenty of ways to win a golf tournament, from a multi-shot romp to a wafer-thin advantage to a play-off, but there are few more exciting scenarios for a fan than seeing an event come down to the 72nd hole or beyond.
Here, we take a look at seven DP World Tour events in 2024 so far that have had us on the edge of our seats.
Fleetwood holds off McIlroy in Dubai drama
The calendar year got under way with the inaugural Dubai Invitational and the action at Dubai Creek Resort certainly did not disappoint. Tommy Fleetwood entered the final day with a one-shot lead and with four-time Major champion and Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy his nearest challenger, a mouthwatering head-to-head was in store. While those around him produced fireworks, Fleetwood was a picture of consistency, but he dropped out of the lead for the first time with a bogey on the 16th. He was still one back on the 18th tee after he and McIlroy both birdied the penultimate hole 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.
"I'm very happy," said Dubai resident Fleetwood. "It was amazing winning. 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.
"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."
Svensson downs Aphibarnrat for maiden victory
European Challenge Tour graduate Jesper Svensson had already made a fine start to life on the DP World Tour when he got over the line in just his 14th start at the Porsche Singapore Classic. The Swede began the final day five shots off the lead but matched the course record with a 63 at Laguna National Golf Resort Club to get to 17 under. He looked set for a victory in regulation but Kiradech Aphibarnrat had other ideas, putting his second to 15 feet at the par-five 18th and holing for eagle to set up a play-off. Both men made a birdie on the first trip up the last and then exchanged a pair of pars before Thai Aphibarnrat went over the back and made a bogey, leaving Svensson two putts for a par and victory.
"It's been a lot of good golf so it was nice to finally come out on top," said Svensson. "It's very hard to win so it's really nice.
"It's been a long journey. To win on my first season out here, I couldn't have dreamt of it. It's always been a dream to be a winner on the DP World Tour and to achieve it feels amazing."
Grant makes more history on home soil
In 2022, Linn Grant became the first female winner in DP World Tour history at the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed and two years later she lifted the trophy again - although for a very long time that looked unlikely. The home favourite was 11 shots behind compatriot Sebastian Söderberg at the start of the day, with Söderberg leading by eight after 54 holes. When Grant chipped in at the last for a flawless 65 she was still three back but Söderberg bogeyed the 13th and 15th and then made a double on the last in a 77 which meant Grant had completed the biggest comeback of the season in her hometown of Helsingborg.
"Honestly I just tried to go out today and give myself an opportunity," she said. "I didn't even think that I had the chance of winning - 11 shots is a huge gap.
"So I just wanted to go out, have fun and make as many birdies as possible. And enjoy it with my brother on the bag and being at home. It turned out to be an incredible day."
DeChambeau pounces for U.S. Open glory
It was just a week later that we saw more high drama as Bryson DeChambeau claimed a second Major Championship on home soil. The American had a three-shot lead after three rounds but found himself two behind as McIlroy made three birdies in four holes after the turn before the Northern Irishman gave them back, missing short putts to bogey the 16th and 18th in a final-round 69. That meant DeChambeau needed a par at the last and despite hitting a ragged drive and finding sand with his second, he completed a stunning up-and-down to sign for a 71 and finish at six under, one clear of McIlroy.
“I can’t believe that up-and-down on the last, that was probably the best shot of my life, said DeChambeau. "That’s huge to get up and down and win this prestigious championship - that will be the highlight of my life.”
Comeback king Siem wins in Italy
Marcel Siem confirmed his status as the DP World Tour's comeback king with a play-off victory over Tom McKibbin at the Italian Open presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna. Playing just his fourth event back since hip surgery, the German was was three shots ahead of clubhouse leader McKibbin - who had set the target at ten under with a bogey-free 65 - after eight holes on the final day. Four bogeys on the back nine, however, saw him one behind the Northern Irishman stood on the 18th tee and he had to come back again, holing a clutch 22-footer to take us to extra holes with a closing 71. Both players found the fairway off the tee and hit excellent approaches into the 18th green but while McKibbin missed his birdie chance from around 12 feet, Siem made his from slightly closer range to bring a huge, fist-pumping celebration.
"Holing that putt on 18 was one the coolest moments in golf for me and doing it again in a play-off was fantastic," he said.
"I love this sport and these moments, I work really hard for them. When you get rewarded like this, it’s a very special moment."
Rolex Series glory on home soil for MacIntyre
Robert MacIntyre was involved in a dramatic finale at the Genesis Scottish Open for the second season in a row but this time he came out on the right side of it at The Renaissance Club. He experienced 2023 heartbreak as he birdied the last after a remarkable second only to see McIlroy make a gain at the 17th and then produce some magic of his own to deny him at the death at take the title. 12 months on and it needed another big finish as MacIntyre trailed by three on the back nine but he holed a long putt on the 14th, eagled the 16th after a remarkable approach from the rough to six feet and holed from 22 feet on the last to spark wild celebrations.
"Close last year but I had my chance here at the end and I just kept saying to myself, 'just take a chance, take a chance'," he said after finishing at 18 under, one shot clear of Australian Adam Scott. "I took it. I can't believe it."
Scheffler wins gold in Paris
Scottie Scheffler produced a spectacular course record-equalling 62 at Le Golf National to emerge from a star-studded leaderboard and win gold at the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition. On a thrilling final day on the outskirts of Paris, the American was flawless from start to finish as he surged to victory with a devastating back-nine 29 to underline his status as the World Number One. Scheffler trailed overnight co-leaders Xander Schauffele – who was targeting back-to-back golds – and Jon Rahm by four shots but showed his pedigree to follow up a fast start with an electric finish that included a run of four straight birdies from the 14th. Fleetwood held a share of the lead with Scheffler on the 17th tee but a miscued chip shot from behind the green proved costly as he was unable to find a birdie at the last to force a play-off.
"I'm proud to be sitting here with a gold medal," said Scheffler, who was in tears on the podium as the Star Spangled Banner played.
"And as far as legacy goes, I try not to think about it too much. I'm just out here competing and trying to stay present and working as hard as I can and trying to get the most out of myself. It was just very emotional being up there on stage there as the flag is being raised and sitting there singing the National Anthem. Yes, that's definitely one I'll remember for a long time."
