DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy starred in an exciting finish at the 2025 World Golf Championship, but ultimately Matt Fitzpatrick took the victory for the third time in a day full of unexpected twists.
McIlroy, with an eagle putt on the 18th hole, forced a playoff that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. However, a mistake on the first playoff hole cost him the title.
Despite the defeat, McIlroy secured his fourth consecutive title in the Race to Dubai, culminating a spectacular year. This year was marked by his victory at the Masters, thus completing the Grand Slam of his career, and his outstanding performance in the Ryder Cup with the European team.
The individual victory, however, eluded McIlroy. A bad shot in the playoff, which ended with his ball in a stream, prevented him from taking the win. Fitzpatrick, for his part, remained calm and achieved a crucial par to secure the victory.
The drama intensified when McIlroy holed a 15-foot putt for an eagle on the final hole of the regular round, completing a round of 67 strokes under par and tying with Fitzpatrick, who had finished with 66 strokes.
Fitzpatrick, watching from the scoring tent, waited for McIlroy off the course, where both congratulated each other with a handshake and a hug. A gesture of sportsmanship that was repeated at the end of the playoff, where both proved to be worthy rivals.
