Tommy Fleetwood is the only golf star who can challenge Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, according to one of their rivals. Scheffler and McIlroy are the undisputed top two players in the world, winning three of this season’s four majors between them. 

After McIlroy finally ended his wait to complete golf’s Grand Slam at the Masters, Scheffler won the USPGA Championship and The Open Championship. The American boasts a handsome lead at the top of the world rankings, while McIlroy, in second, is well clear of Xander Schauffele. But it is the man in fourth, Fleetwood, who is the top two’s biggest threat, says Laurie Canter, who, along with McIlroy and Fleetwood, is in contention to win the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The Southport star has enjoyed the best year of his career, finally breaking his duck on the PGA Tour by winning the FedEx Cup at the Tour Championship before playing a starring role in Europe’s gripping victory over the United States at the Ryder Cup, winning a crucial four points for his side.

Canter reckons Fleetwood has been the world’s second-best player this year behind Scheffler, telling Sky Sports: “The golf sickos out there would tell you Tommy’s the second-best player in the world this year. Statistically, what he’s doing stacks up [with Scheffler and McIlroy].

“He doesn’t have the major record of those two, obviously, but he will have. I think it’s inevitable he will do that and I think he’ll get a couple. He looks to me more comfortable, he’s got a huge CV of wins and it’s just that next phase.

“He seems to have a great team behind him, Butch Harmon and all the like, so I would back him to have a pretty nice little spell of golf the next decade if he stays fit.”

Fleetwood’s game has clearly benefited from working with legendary coach Harmon since 2023. Meanwhile, in Dubai, Nicolai Hojgaard surged into a three-shot lead on day two. The Dane backed up his opening 67 with an eagle and five birdies in his second round to sit three clear at 12 under par.

McIlroy, who looks on course to claim his seventh Race to Dubai crown, was among five players at nine under. Fleetwood and Canter were both one shot further back on eight under.