Fitzpatrick bests McIlroy in playoffs to win DP World Tour Championship

Matt Fitzpatrick claimed the 2025 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai after a tense playoff against Rory McIlroy, with both players finishing the regulation 72 holes at 18 under par. 

Fitzpatrick closed with a superb 66 on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, while McIlroy carded a 5‑under 67, including a clutch eagle on the 18th that forced extra holes. The playoff victory marked Fitzpatrick’s third DP World Tour Championship win, adding to his titles in 2016 and 2020.

The final round began with McIlroy making an early move. He birdied four of the first seven holes, briefly taking the lead and putting pressure on Fitzpatrick, who was chasing from a stroke behind.

Fitzpatrick steadied himself, making a pair of key birdies on holes 12 and 16, then rolled in another on 18 to tie McIlroy at the top.

Rasmus Neergaard‑Petersen, who was also in contention, faltered on the back nine, leaving the showdown between the two top Europeans.

McIlroy’s eagle on the final hole was a standout moment, requiring a perfectly struck approach and a 15‑foot putt to tie Fitzpatrick. Both players carried the tension into the playoff on the 18th hole. 

McIlroy’s tee shot drifted into the water, forcing a bogey, while Fitzpatrick calmly pitched to within three feet and sank the par putt to claim the title.

This win also marked Fitzpatrick’s 10th DP World Tour victory in 195 starts, cementing his status among Europe’s elite. It was the perfect cap to a year that saw him recover from a slow start, deliver strong results during the summer, and help his Ryder Cup team. 

While Fitzpatrick lifted the trophy, McIlroy left Dubai with another accolade: his seventh Race to Dubai title. That moves him past Seve Ballesteros, who had six, and brings him within one of Colin Montgomerie’s all‑time record of eight. 

Over the season, McIlroy has remained consistent and earned some impressive feats, including victories at the Masters and the Irish Open, and a standout Ryder Cup performance for Europe. 

After the playoff, Fitzpatrick and McIlroy shared a handshake and embrace, a sign of mutual respect between Ryder Cup teammates. 

McIlroy called his seventh Race to Dubai triumph “absolutely incredible,” while Fitzpatrick’s composed final round capped a memorable season finale in which he regained his drive and proved his worth on golf’s biggest stages.