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

Fitzpatrick Beats McIlroy in an Epic World Tour Championship Finish

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy’s stellar year culminated in a dramatic finish at the World Tour Championship, although the title slipped through his fingers. Matt Fitzpatrick took the victory, winning the tournament for the third time, after an exciting playoff. McIlroy, despite the defeat, 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, the Players Championship, and the Irish Open, in addition to his outstanding participation in the Ryder Cup. The definition of the championship was intense. McIlroy, with a spectacular play, achieved an eagle on the final hole to force the playoff. However, a mistake on the first hole of the tiebreaker, where his ball ended up in the water, cost him the victory. Fitzpatrick, with impeccable play, secured the victory with a par.

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

Matt Fitzpatrick

The highlight of the day came when McIlroy sank a 15-foot putt for eagle on the 18th hole, completing a round of 67 strokes and tying with Fitzpatrick, who had signed a card of 66. This eagle recalled the one achieved at the Irish Open, where he also forced a playoff. The victory in the Race to Dubai represents the seventh title for McIlroy, surpassing Seve Ballesteros and approaching Colin Montgomerie’s record.

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

Rory McIlroy

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

The competition at the Earth Course was fierce, with several players leading or sharing the lead. Fitzpatrick, with three birdies in the last five holes, surpassed figures like Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg. Fitzpatrick’s birdie putt on the 18th hole gave him a lead over Fleetwood, Åberg and Laurie Canter, and two strokes over McIlroy, who needed an eagle to tie. Fitzpatrick, US Open champion in 2022, had a slow start to the season, but rallied, securing his place in the Ryder Cup. “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. Yes, what a feeling.”