Rory McIlroy sealed his seventh Race to Dubai title on Sunday, but the world No. 2 narrowly missed out on the DP World Tour Championship after finding water on the first playoff hole against England’s Matt Fitzpatrick.
Playing at the Earth Course of Jumeirah Golf Estates, Fitzpatrick carded a six-under 66 and birdied the 72nd hole to set the clubhouse target at 18-under par.
Moments later, McIlroy produced a sensational eagle at the same final hole, holing from 16 feet after a brilliant approach, to join him in the playoff.
In the playoff, McIlroy’s tee shot found the water, handing Fitzpatrick the advantage he needed to clinch his third DP World Tour Championship title after victories in 2016 and 2020. The win marks his 10th DP World Tour trophy and is expected to move him to No. 24 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
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Four players — Tommy Fleetwood, Laurie Canter, Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, tied for third at 17-under par.
Despite the playoff defeat, McIlroy’s season-long consistency earned him a fourth straight Race to Dubai crown and his seventh overall, moving him past Seve Ballesteros and one step closer to Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record of eight Order of Merit titles.
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