Matt Fitzpatrick sealed his third title at the DP World Tour Championship, defeating Rory McIlroy in a playoff and ending the 2025 season on a high.
The Englishman started the day one shot off the lead, but made three birdies in the first five holes to stay in contention. He then finished in fine form with a bogey-free 66, setting the clubhouse target at 18-under par.
In an epic finale, world No. 2 McIlroy made the necessary eagle on the final hole to force a playoff, but his tee shot on the first playoff hole ended up in the penalty box.
Fitzpatrick, results
Fitzpatrick made the most of the opportunity, saving par with an up-and-down to surpass his Ryder Cup teammate and add a third DP World Tour Championship trophy to those he won in 2016 and 2020.
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McIlroy's runner-up finish allowed him to capture his seventh Harry Vardon Trophy in a remarkable season: he completed the Career Grand Slam with a memorable victory at the Masters, triumphed at the Amgen Irish Open, and played a key role in Bethpage Black's historic European road victory at the Ryder Cup.
The Northern Irishman has won the Race to Dubai for the past four consecutive seasons and is just one title away from equaling Colin Montgomerie's record of eight.
Dubai residents Tommy Fleetwood and Laurie Canter finished tied for third at 17 under par, along with Ludvig berg and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
Fitzpatrick had a difficult start to the year, but emerged with a top-10 finish at the PGA Championship, followed by back-to-back fourth-place finishes at the Genesis Scottish Open and the 153rd Open.
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His excellent form continued with top-six finishes at the Betfred British Masters, the Omega European Masters, and the BMW PGA Championship, before contributing to Bethpage Black's historic European Ryder Cup victory.
He started the week brilliantly at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with rounds of 69 on Thursday and Friday, before a 66 on Saturday moved him within one shot of the lead with one round to play.
The 31-year-old got off to a flying start on day four, opening his account with a birdie from 5 feet on the second hole, before hole-out from nearly 50 feet on the fourth for another birdie.
He made consecutive gains with a 5-foot putt on the fifth, then parred the next eight holes, losing ground slightly.
But back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th brought him back into contention, and he birdied the 18th from 5 feet to get to 18 points.
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Fitzpatrick said: "I struggled at the beginning of this year, obviously, and to be able to turn it around in the summer like I did, with the Ryder Cup in particular. I played really well today; I don't think I hit a single bad shot all day. I'm so proud of myself, of the effort everyone puts in behind the scenes. Everyone on my team really pulled together, and I couldn't be happier. During the critical period at the beginning of the season, I had the support of my wife, friends, and family, and to turn it all around to be here now is very special."
