DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy’s stellar year culminated in another dramatic episode on Sunday, although this time he couldn’t take the individual victory. Despite achieving an eagle on the last hole to force a playoff, Matt Fitzpatrick took the World Golf Championship, being crowned champion for the third time.
However, McIlroy didn’t leave empty-handed. He 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, thus completing the Grand Slam of his career, the Players Championship, and the Irish Open.
McIlroy’s most important individual victories have been decided in playoffs, but this time luck was not on his side. His ball ended up in the water on the first playoff hole, costing him a bogey. Fitzpatrick, for his part, made par, thus securing his victory in the tournament held at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he had already triumphed in 2016 and 2020.
“Obviously, you never like how things end, but I’m delighted,” Fitzpatrick declared after securing his first victory in two years.
Matt FitzpatrickThe public vibrated with McIlroy’s game, who holed a 15-foot putt to achieve the eagle on the 18th hole, completing a round of 67 strokes and tying with Fitzpatrick, who scored 66 strokes.
This is McIlroy’s seventh title in the Race to Dubai, surpassing Seve Ballesteros and being only one short of Colin Montgomerie’s record.
“I didn’t dream of getting this far, so it’s great,” commented McIlroy, who revealed he had spoken with Carmen, Ballesteros’ wife, before his Sunday round.
Rory McIlroyDuring the intense hours on the field, nine players led or shared the lead. Fitzpatrick achieved three birdies in the last five holes, surpassing stars like Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg.
With a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, Fitzpatrick pulled away from Fleetwood, Åberg and Laurie Canter, and finished two strokes ahead of McIlroy, who needed an eagle to tie.
Fitzpatrick, champion of the US Open in 2022, had a slow start to the season, but resurfaced strongly, securing a place on the Ryder Cup team thanks to his outstanding performances at the British Masters, the European Masters and the BMW PGA Championship.
“Turning the situation around in the summer like I did and having a Ryder Cup like I had, I feel it’s difficult to surpass given everything,” Fitzpatrick said. “But the way I played today, I feel like I really didn’t hit a bad shot all day. I’m very proud of myself, of the effort everyone puts in behind the scenes. Yes, what a feeling.”
Matt FitzpatrickMatt Fitzpatrick se impuso a Rory McIlroy para ganar el Campeonato Mundial por tercera vez, mientras que McIlroy se llevó su cuarto título consecutivo y el séptimo en general de la Carrera a Dubái.
