Fitzpatrick beats McIlroy in Dubai, but Rory takes the Race to Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy’s dream year culminated in an exciting finish on Sunday, although not with the expected result. Despite achieving an eagle on the last hole to force a playoff, Matt Fitzpatrick won the World Tour Championship, obtaining his third title in this tournament. The consolation for McIlroy was 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, where he completed the career Grand Slam, the Players Championship, and the Irish Open.

McIlroy’s great individual victories have often 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, managed a par, securing the victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Obviously, you never like how it ends, but I’m delighted.

Matt Fitzpatrick

McIlroy generated great excitement by holing a 15-foot putt for eagle on the 18th hole, completing a round of 67 strokes under par and tying with Fitzpatrick, who shot 66 strokes. Fitzpatrick, witnessing the outcome from the scorer’s hut, congratulated McIlroy, with whom he shared a team in the Ryder Cup, with a hug. Both players demonstrated their sportsmanship at the end of the playoff. For McIlroy, this is his seventh title in the Race to Dubai, surpassing Seve Ballesteros and being one title away from Colin Montgomerie’s record.

I didn’t dream of getting this far, so it’s great.

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy revealed that he spoke with Ballesteros’ wife, Carmen, before his Sunday round. Regarding catching Montgomerie, McIlroy commented: “It seems within reach now. I would love to be the European with the most titles in terms of the Order of Merit and season races. I think I have a few good years left and I hope to be able to catch and surpass him.”

Matt Fitzpatrick beat Rory McIlroy to win the World Tour Championship for the third time, while McIlroy took his fourth consecutive and seventh overall Race to Dubai title.The day at the Earth course was full of twists, with several players leading or sharing the lead. Fitzpatrick achieved three birdies in his last five holes, surpassing McIlroy and other European stars like Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg. A 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole gave Fitzpatrick a one-shot lead over Fleetwood, Åberg and Laurie Canter, and two over McIlroy, who needed an eagle to stay in the fight. McIlroy hit a fairway wood from about 230 yards, making a putt that left him tied. Fitzpatrick, champion of the US Open in 2022, had a slow start to the season but finished strong, securing a place on the Ryder Cup team thanks to his performances at the British Masters, the European Masters, and the BMW PGA Championship.

To turn it around in the summer like I did and to have a Ryder Cup like I had, I feel like it’s hard to top given everything. But the way I played today, I feel like I didn’t really hit a bad shot all day. I’m very proud of myself, of the effort everyone puts in behind the scenes. Yeah, what a feeling.

Matt Fitzpatrick