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DUBAI: Ryder Cup hero Tommy Fleetwood will return to Dubai Creek Resort from Jan. 15 to 18 to defend his Dubai Invitational title.

The reigning FedExCup Champion and seven-time DP World Tour winner produced a dramatic birdie-birdie finish at the inaugural edition in 2024 to edge out Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy on the final day in his adopted home of Dubai.

Two years on, Fleetwood returns as one of the game’s standout stars.

In 2025, he became the second Englishman to capture the PGA Tour’s prestigious FedExCup title with his win at the Tour Championship, adding to his growing list of accolades which includes three Ryder Cup triumphs.

The 34-year-old played a pivotal role in Europe’s historic away victory at Bethpage, finishing the week as the leading points scorer across both teams.

His Ryder Cup record now stands at an impressive 7–3–2, giving him the highest winning percentage of any European player with at least 10 matches played.

The world No. 5 is aiming to carry his strong form into the new season. “I’m delighted to be defending my Dubai Invitational title in front of family and friends here in Dubai,” said Fleetwood.

“Winning the first edition was a really special moment for me, and Abdulla did a fantastic job bringing the event to life. I can’t wait to start the new year back at Dubai Creek Resort.”

Tournament host Abdulla Al-Naboodah said Fleetwood’s victory in the inaugural Dubai Invitational “was an unforgettable moment and set the standard for what this tournament is all about.

“Having one of the world’s top players return to defend his title is a huge honor, and I am excited to see the tournament continue to grow and inspire golf fans here in Dubai and around the world.”

The Dubai Invitational is the opening event of the Race to Dubai’s International Swing.

Played alongside a three-day Pro-Am team format before a professionals-only Sunday, the bi-annual event features 60 DP World Tour professionals and 60 amateurs.

LONDON: Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month suspension for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy after missing three attempted tests in 2024, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced Tuesday.

“McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC ADP (anti- doping policy),” the CSAD said in a statement.

The missed collections occurred on June 13, Sept. 19, and Sept. 20, and were each recorded as whereabouts failures. Under the program, “UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times, so they can be contacted and submit to biological sample collections without prior warning.”

The sanction is retroactive to Sept. 20, 2024 — the date of the third missed test — and runs through March 20, 2026. CSAD noted McGregor was rehabbing an injury and not in fight preparation during the missed collections, and that he fully cooperated with the inquiry, accepted responsibility and supplied information that explained the circumstances. Citing those factors, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month penalty for three whereabouts failures by six months.

“Despite these mitigating factors, CSAD emphasizes that accurate whereabouts filings and the ability to conduct unannounced testing are essential to the success of the UFC ADP,” the CSAD added.

CSAD administers the UFC’s year-round program independently. Sample collections are performed by Drug Free Sport International, and testing is conducted at the WADA-accredited Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City.

McGregor, 37, re-entered the UFC testing pool and has provided four samples in 2025. The former two-division champion has not competed since July 2021. His planned bout with Michael Chandler for UFC 303 in 2024 was canceled after McGregor withdrew with an injury.

With the suspension ending March 20, 2026, McGregor would be eligible to compete again in the spring of next year, pending medical clearance and any bout agreement. This would come just in time for the UFC card slated to take place at the White House, which President Donald Trump recently announced would be held on June 14, 2026.