Tommy Fleetwood admits there is a "clear gap" separating Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy from the rest of the PGA Tour field, but he is determined to compete with the duo in 2026.

Fleetwood enjoyed a successful 2025, winning his first PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship in August.

That triumph at East Lake saw him capture the FedEx Cup crown, and he carried his good form into the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, winning more points than any other player (four) as Europe recorded their first away win over the United States in 13 years. 

Fleetwood sits third in the world rankings ahead of this week's Dubai Invitational, though world number one Scheffler and number two McIlroy hold a significant advantage over their nearest challenger.

Fleetwood disappointed at the majors last year, missing the cut at the U.S. Open while finishing tied for 16th at the Open, 21st at the Masters and 41st at the PGA Championship. 

But he hopes to take another major step forward in the next 12 months. 

Asked if he expected to challenge golf's top two in 2026, Fleetwood told Sky Sports: "I would love to.

"There is a clear gap, those two guys are definitely the best golfers in the world. I am just one of the players in the pack behind that has some catching up to do there.

"I look at every aspect of my game, where I can improve, where I can pick the smallest amount of shots up to those guys, but it is an amazing challenge, if you think of it like that."

This chapter of my life is closed now, it was called ‘The First PGA tour win’…

Thank you to everyone who supported me from the bottom of my heart, it means so much. I’m honestly so excited to get back to work and the next chapter!! See you at Wentworth. pic.twitter.com/9scDRDPiuD

— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) August 26, 2025

Fleetwood made 164 PGA Tour starts before finally lifting silverware, and after his patient rise to third in the world, he is determined to hold onto that position as a minimum.

He continued: "I am starting the year in a different position than I have ever been, as world number three. 

"I think that is very cool and very exciting, to have to think about trying to maintain the level that I have reached there – and that is the first thing to do."