Rory McIlroy wins seventh Race to Dubai title

Rory McIlroy narrowly missed out on winning the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday, falling to England’s Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff, but the Northern Irishman still secured the season-long Race to Dubai title.

McIlroy admitted he arrived at the final day knowing he had “a bit of work to do” to wrap up the year-end honour, but his overall performance across the season was enough to seal the trophy. The world No. 2 now sits atop the European Tour’s annual standings for a seventh time, and for the fourth consecutive year.

The achievement moves him past Severiano Ballesteros on the all-time list and leaves him just one behind Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight.

“It feels so close now,” McIlroy said, reflecting on his pursuit of Montgomerie’s mark. “I was the first European to win the Grand Slam, and to become the most successful European in season-long rankings would mean a lot. Seve was always my dad’s favourite, so hearing his name brings back memories of how this whole journey started. It’s emotional.”

Dramatic Finish at Jumeirah Golf Estates

Fitzpatrick forced extra holes with a birdie on the final green, carding a 66 on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Minutes later, McIlroy matched the moment with a brilliant second shot into the 18th, setting up a 16-foot eagle putt that dropped to send the contest into a playoff.

However, on the first extra hole McIlroy’s drive found the stream dividing the fairway, leading to a bogey. Fitzpatrick held steady to claim his third DP World Tour Championship title and his 10th DP World Tour win in 195 starts. The 2022 U.S. Open champion has now won the season-ending event three times.

Fleetwood: ‘This Means the World’

Tommy Fleetwood, who struggled for form early in the year before sparking a resurgence over the summer, continued his strong run by finishing tied for third at 17-under alongside Laurie Canter, Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

Fleetwood, who earned two-and-a-half points during Europe’s Ryder Cup win, described his season turnaround as deeply meaningful. “This means the world,” he said. “I felt like I didn’t hit a single bad shot today.”

McIlroy’s Roller-Coaster Round

McIlroy appeared to be cruising after five birdies in his opening 11 holes put him two shots clear. But a misjudged approach on the 12th led to a bogey, and another dropped shot on the 16th—after finding a bunker—set him back. A near-miss on a long birdie at the 17th left him trailing by one, before Fitzpatrick extended the gap to two with his final-hole birdie.

McIlroy’s superb 234-yard second shot into a stiff wind on the 18th set up his eagle and the playoff, but the early mistake on the extra hole proved costly.

Race to Dubai Final Standings

England’s Marco Penge tied for 22nd, securing second place in the Race to Dubai standings. He also heads the list of 10 non-exempt players who earned PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season. Joining him are Laurie Canter, Kristoffer Reitan, Adrien Saddier, Alex Noren, John Parry, Haotong Li, Keita Nakajima, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Jordan Smith.