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 an eagle on the last hole that forced a playoff, Matt Fitzpatrick prevailed at the World Golf Championship, securing his third victory in the tournament.
McIlroy Consoles Himself with the Race to Dubai Title
The consolation for McIlroy was his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title, solidifying himself as the best European player of the year.This achievement adds to his victories at the Masters, completing the career Grand Slam, the Players Championship, and the Irish Open.Furthermore, McIlroy contributed to the European team’s victory in the Ryder Cup.However, in the final tiebreaker, luck was not on his side. His tee shot on the 18th hole ended up in a stream, resulting in a bogey.Fitzpatrick, for his part, secured a par, ensuring the victory. This is his third victory in the tournament, after those achieved in 2016 and 2020.McIlroy generated the biggest ovation of the day by sinking a 15-foot putt for eagle on the 18th hole, completing a round of 67 strokes and tying with Fitzpatrick (66) at 18 under par.In September, he also achieved an eagle on the last hole of the Irish Open, which led to a playoff that he ultimately won against Joakim Lagergren.“Obviously, you never like how things end, but I’m delighted,” Fitzpatrick declared after securing his first victory in two years.
Matt Fitzpatrick
For McIlroy, this is his seventh Race to Dubai title, surpassing Seve Ballesteros and being one short of Colin Montgomerie’s record.“In Rory’s fashion, he did it again,” commented Fitzpatrick, who watched the outcome from the scoring tent. He met with McIlroy outside, shaking his hand and giving him a hug.
Matt Fitzpatrick
McIlroy added: “It feels like it’s within reach now. I’d love to be the European with the most wins in terms of the Order of Merit and season races. I probably have a few good years left and I hope I can reach and surpass it.”“I didn’t get that far in my dreams, so it’s great,” McIlroy said, revealing that he spoke with Ballesteros’ wife, Carmen, before his Sunday round.
Rory McIlroy
A 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole gave Fitzpatrick a one-shot lead over Fleetwood (67), Åberg (66) and Laurie Canter (67), and two over McIlroy, who needed an eagle.
McIlroy hit a shot with a wood from about 230 meters, achieving a good approach thanks to the help of Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, and holed the putt.Neergaard-Petersen (68) made birdie, tying for third place.Fitzpatrick, champion of the US Open in 2022, had a slow start to the season, but finished strongly, securing a place in the Ryder Cup thanks to his results in 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,” 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, the effort everyone puts in behind the scenes. Yeah, what a feeling.”
Matt Fitzpatrick
