Matt Fitzpatrick claims his third DP World Tour Championship title after a dramatic playoff against Rory McIlroy.
Fitzpatrick edges McIlroy in playoff at DP World Tour Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick secured his third DP World Tour Championship victory after a thrilling playoff against Rory McIlroy, who had forced extra holes with a sensational eagle on the 72nd hole. Despite McIlroy’s heroics, Fitzpatrick held his nerve in the playoff to clinch the season finale title.
Fitzpatrick posted back-to-back 66s over the weekend to earn his spot in the playoff. Though his final round wasn’t flawless, he remained composed and bogey-free, positioning himself for a birdie on the final hole to take the outright lead. “He’s one of the few guys where even with a two-shot lead, you know it’s going to a playoff,” Fitzpatrick said of McIlroy.
McIlroy’s eagle forces playoff, but Fitzpatrick prevails
McIlroy, who started the final round tied for the lead, stayed in contention with strong play until a bogey on the 16th dropped him back. After Fitzpatrick birdied the 18th, McIlroy needed an eagle to tie—and delivered, sinking a five-meter putt reminiscent of his dramatic win at the Irish Open. However, in the playoff, McIlroy found the water while Fitzpatrick stayed dry and made par to seal the win. “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 wins Race to Dubai for fourth straight year
Despite the playoff loss, McIlroy secured the Race to Dubai title for the seventh time overall and a record fourth consecutive season, surpassing Seve Ballesteros. “He means so much to this Tour and to the European Ryder Cup team,” McIlroy said. “To surpass him—something I never dreamed of.”
Nicolai Højgaard’s T3 finish earned him a spot in the top 15 of the Race to Dubai, securing one of ten PGA Tour cards awarded at season’s end. Germany’s Nicolai von Dellingshausen finished 22nd in Dubai, capping off his best season to date thanks to his win in Austria.