Rory McIlroy fell just short of another DP World Tour Championship as he lost in a playoff to Matt Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick won the DP World Tour Championship for the third time in his career, denying McIlroy the chance to successfully defend his crown from 2024.
The Northern Irishman has, however, managed to clinch the Race to Dubai for the seventh time in his DP World Tour career.
The pair finished the DP World Tour Championship on 18-under, with Fitzpatrick clinching the title after one playoff hole.
Rory McIlroy makes classy comment about Matt Fitzpatrick after losing to him in Dubai
He earned the praise of McIlroy in the immediate aftermath of their battle, with the runner-up saying of his round on Sky Sports Golf: “Got off to the perfect start.
“Three under through five, four under through seven. I felt I had taken control of the golf tournament, was a couple ahead, and then I made two bogeys on the way in on 12 and 16 and didn’t birdie 14 and 15, the birdie holes.
“I knew I needed something to happen on the last. I hit a great shot on 17 which came up a little short and a putt which lipped out.
“But I knew what I needed to do. Hit a great five wood. Lucky to see Rasmus’s putt before mine, so I got a bit of a read from him.
“A great way to finish. It was nice to make the playoff but unfortunately hitting in the water there on 18 in the playoff put me behind the eight ball.
“But happy for Matt. He has had a great end to the season. Played great to get on the Ryder Cup team and then kept it going since, so I’m really happy for him as well.”
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Matt Fitzpatrick concludes superb season with DP World Tour Championship success
Fitzpatrick certainly deserves his success in Dubai, having battled hard throughout the week at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
And that was largely typical of his season in general, although the Englishman did admit to some struggles early on.
But those struggles were quickly put to bed as he began to impress on the PGA Tour, although a third career win wasn’t quite achieved.
He did, however, take that form into the Ryder Cup in September, playing a key role as Europe defeated the USA at Bethpage Black.
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