DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy’s stellar year came to an end with an exciting finish this Sunday, although he did not achieve victory at the World Tour Championship. Despite a spectacular eagle on the last hole to force a playoff, Matt Fitzpatrick took the title for the third time. However, McIlroy secured his fourth consecutive title in the Race to Dubai, solidifying himself as the best European player of the year. This achievement adds to his victories in the Masters, completing the career Grand Slam, the The Players Championship and the Irish Open. The excitement of the day reached its peak when McIlroy holed a 15-foot putt for eagle on the 18th hole, finishing the round with an impressive 67 strokes, which allowed him to tie with Fitzpatrick, who signed a 66.
The tiebreaker, however, did not favor McIlroy. A bad shot on the first hole of the tiebreaker, the 18th, led to a bogey, while Fitzpatrick, with a precise chip, secured par and the victory. For McIlroy, this is his seventh title in the Race to Dubai, surpassing the legend Seve Ballesteros and being one title away from Colin Montgomerie’s record.Obviously, you never like how it ends, but obviously I’m delighted.
Matt Fitzpatrick
The competition at the Earth Course was fierce, with several players leading or sharing the lead for a frenetic few hours. Fitzpatrick, with three birdies in the last five holes, surpassed McIlroy and other European stars like Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg.I didn’t get that far in my dreams, so it’s great.
Rory McIlroy
