Rory McIlroy clinched the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai crown for a record-extending seventh time and fourth consecutive season on Sunday, but fell short of winning the $10 million Tour Championship after England’s Matt Fitzpatrick defeated him on the first playoff hole.
Competing on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Fitzpatrick carded a superb 66 and birdied the 72nd hole to set the clubhouse target at 18-under par.
Moments later, McIlroy produced a stunning eagle on the same final hole, draining a 16-foot putt after a brilliant approach shot to force the playoff.
However, in the sudden-death decider, the world No. 2 found the water with his tee shot, allowing Fitzpatrick to secure his third DP World Tour Championship title, adding to his victories in 2016 and 2020 and the 10th DP World Tour win of his career. The result is expected to lift him to No. 24 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Four players shared third place at 17-under par: England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Laurie Canter, Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, and Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
With his Race to Dubai triumph, McIlroy surpasses the late Seve Ballesteros’ tally and moves within one of Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record of eight Order of Merit titles.
AFP
