STWF Sports|Nov. 16, 2025 – Matt Fitzpatrick delivered one of the most composed performances of his career to secure his third DP World Tour Championship title on Sunday, outlasting Masters champion Rory McIlroy in a dramatic playoff at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. What began as a quietly dominant final round from Fitzpatrick turned into a pressure-packed showdown, punctuated by McIlroy’s breathtaking eagle on the 72nd hole that forced the Englishman to regroup and go win the title the hard way.
Fitzpatrick, who posted a bogey-free 66 to take the clubhouse lead at 18-under, appeared to have separated himself from a crowded leaderboard containing Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood, and Laurie Canter. But nothing is ever settled in Dubai when Rory McIlroy is lurking.
McIlroy Delivers Late Magic
Both McIlroy and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen needed a miracle eagle at the last to join Fitzpatrick. The young Dane missed his chance, but McIlroy—never shy of theatrics—drained a sensational 15-yard putt from off the green, drawing a roar from the gallery and a knowing smirk from Fitzpatrick watching inside the scorer’s hut.
The Northern Irishman pumped his fist in celebration as he walked toward the hole, fully aware he had just willed himself into the playoff. Fitzpatrick emerged moments later, offering a grin and a congratulatory “well done” before the Ryder Cup teammates headed back to the 18th tee for sudden death.
Despite McIlroy’s late heroics, the playoff belonged to Fitzpatrick. With McIlroy’s approach spinning back and stopping agonizingly short on the green, Fitzpatrick capitalized, sealing victory and closing out one of the most well-crafted final rounds of his career.
A Season-Defining Win
“It means the world,” Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports moments after hoisting the trophy. “I struggled at the start of the year, and to turn it around like this… what a feeling.”
The 2022 U.S. Open champion admitted the season had required patience and resilience, with breakthroughs coming slowly before a strong surge in late summer and a standout Ryder Cup showing. Sunday’s win was, in his words, “as close to perfect as it gets,” with only one poor shot marring the round.
The victory also earns Fitzpatrick 2,000 Race to Dubai points and cements his continued place among Europe’s elite. For McIlroy, the runner-up finish was more than enough to wrap up the Race to Dubai title—his seventh year-end crown. The feat moves him beyond Seve Ballesteros and into sole possession of second place all-time behind Colin Montgomerie (8).
McIlroy Reflects: “I Had It… and Let It Slip”
McIlroy, who has been in superb form throughout the 2025 season, admitted frustration at letting what felt like a winning position get away.
“Got off to the perfect start,” McIlroy said. “Three under through five, four under through seven… I felt like I had taken control of the tournament. Then I made two bogeys on the way in and didn’t birdie 14 and 15—the birdie holes. I knew I needed something big on the last.”
He delivered it. Just not quite enough.
A Season of Highs Continues
McIlroy’s 2025 season has been one for the ages: the career Grand Slam completed at Augusta, a victory at the Irish Open, a runner-up at the Scottish Open, and a podium finish in Abu Dhabi. The £1.5 million Race to Dubai bonus is merely another milestone in a campaign where he has scarcely missed the top three.
For Fitzpatrick, Sunday’s triumph closes the gap in a rivalry built on mutual respect, shared Ryder Cup triumphs, and contrasting styles. The playoff embrace between the two underlined it.
“It’s a win for everyone,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our whole team has worked so hard. To turn it around and be here now—very special.”
In Dubai, however, it was Fitzpatrick’s resilience—not McIlroy’s magic—that decided the final European crown of the year.
