Rory McIlroy secured the Race to Dubai for the fourth year running despite narrowly missing out to Matt Fitzpatrick in a thrilling finish to the DP World Tour Championship.
An incredible final day of the DP World Tour season saw a host of players challenging for victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where Matt Fitzpatick broke clear of a congested leaderboard to close a bogey-free 66 and set the clubhouse target at 18 under.
McIlroy started with a share of the lead and briefly let a two-shot advantage slip during the back nine, only to deliver a dramatic 15-foot eagle on the final hole to force his Ryder Cup team-mate into extra holes.
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The players returned to the par-five 18th for a play-off, where McIlroy found water with his tee shot and Fitzpatrick’s poor approach left both players missing the green with their third shot.
The world No 2 splashed out of the greenside bunker to 20 feet but missed his putt for par, as Fitzpatrick got up and down to close out his first worldwide title victory since October 2023 and secure the season finale for a third time.
McIlroy’s runner-up finish extended his winning margin in the season-long Race to Dubai standings, ensuring he would win the Harry Vardon Trophy for a seventh time and move within one of Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Order of Merit titles.
More to follow…
What’s next?
The new DP World Tour season begins with the BMW Australian PGA Championship from November 27-30, held at Royal Queensland GC in Brisbane and live on Sky Sports.
McIlroy returns to action the following week in the Crown Australian Open at Royal Melbourne GC, the same week the Nedbank Golf Challenge takes place at Gary Player CC in South Africa, with both events also live on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the DP World Tour and more with no contract.
