Matt Fitzpatrick captures his third DP World Tour Championship title after a dramatic playoff against Rory McIlroy.
Fitzpatrick edges McIlroy in dramatic DP World Tour Championship finale
Matt Fitzpatrick emerged victorious at the 2025 DP World Tour Championship after a nail-biting playoff against Rory McIlroy, marking his third win at the season-ending event. Fitzpatrick shot back-to-back 66s over the weekend to force a playoff, where he capitalized on McIlroy’s misstep to seal the win. Despite the loss, McIlroy secured the Race to Dubai title for a record-breaking seventh time.
McIlroy forces playoff with clutch eagle
Heading into the final round tied for the lead, McIlroy stayed in contention with solid play until a bogey on the 16th dropped him back. Fitzpatrick, bogey-free on the day, birdied the 18th to take the solo lead. But McIlroy, needing an eagle to tie, replicated his heroics from the Irish Open by sinking a five-meter putt to force extra holes.
RORY MCILROY!
He eagles the 72nd hole to send the season finale to a play-off!#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/MkS4mJlqlj
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 16, 2025
Playoff drama and season accolades
In the playoff, McIlroy found the water off the tee while Fitzpatrick landed in the rough. The Englishman played it safe to make par, while McIlroy’s birdie attempt came up just short. “It means the world to me,” Fitzpatrick said. “I had a tough start to the year, but I’m proud of how I turned it around, especially with my Ryder Cup performance.”
McIlroy, despite the playoff loss, clinched the Race to Dubai crown for the fourth consecutive year and seventh overall, surpassing the legendary Seve Ballesteros. “To go past Seve—someone who meant so much to this Tour and the Ryder Cup team—is beyond my wildest dreams,” McIlroy reflected.
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who shared third place, earned a PGA Tour card by finishing 15th in the Race to Dubai standings. Nicolai von Dellingshausen finished 22nd in Dubai, capping off his best season yet thanks to a win in Austria and consistent performances throughout the year.