RORY MCILROY SEALED his third European Tour order of merit title as he claimed victory at the DP World Tour Championship by one shot in Dubai.
The Northern Irishman carded a final round of 66 at the Jumeirah Golf Estate on Sunday to finish 21-under par, enough to end the season as Europe’s top player.
Having trailed overnight leader Andy Sullivan through the front nine, McIlroy made his move on the way home as a flurry of birdies saw him overtake his playing partner to finish atop the leaderboard.
Consecutive birdies at five, six and seven saw McIlroy go out in 33 but he remained one adrift of Sullivan with nine holes to play.
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That all changed as the world number three turned on the style, a sublime chip from the edge of the green at 14 setting up a third birdie in four holes as he moved ahead.
Even a bogey at the par-three 17th after finding the water from the tee could not derail him, the 26-year-old sinking a sublime long distance putt to ensure his lead was only cut by one going down the last.
Sullivan’s day was hampered by some wayward driving, and although his putter continued to work well he was restricted to a string of pars as his challenge faltered.
McIlroy’s rival in the Race to Dubai, Danny Willett, started well but after four birdies by the 10th he was unable to keep going.
Five pars followed before back-to-back bogeys ended any hope he had of catching McIlroy, Willett eventually finishing in a tie for fourth on 13-under par after a final round of 70.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Branden Grace secured third spot on his own at 15 under with a birdie-laden 67, while Emiliano Grillo, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Charl Schwartzel, An Byeong-hun and Francesco Molinari joined Willett on 13 under.
Molinari’s impressive charge up the leaderboard began with a hole in one at the sixth, and after two bogeys he finished with a flourish, four birdies seeing him card a 68.
Shane Lowry finished in a tie for 48th after a final round 73.
McIlroy wins in Dubai to top European Tour order of merit
RORY MCILROY SEALED his third European Tour order of merit title as he claimed victory at the DP World Tour Championship by one shot in Dubai.
The Northern Irishman carded a final round of 66 at the Jumeirah Golf Estate on Sunday to finish 21-under par, enough to end the season as Europe’s top player.
Having trailed overnight leader Andy Sullivan through the front nine, McIlroy made his move on the way home as a flurry of birdies saw him overtake his playing partner to finish atop the leaderboard.
Consecutive birdies at five, six and seven saw McIlroy go out in 33 but he remained one adrift of Sullivan with nine holes to play.
That all changed as the world number three turned on the style, a sublime chip from the edge of the green at 14 setting up a third birdie in four holes as he moved ahead.
Even a bogey at the par-three 17th after finding the water from the tee could not derail him, the 26-year-old sinking a sublime long distance putt to ensure his lead was only cut by one going down the last.
Sullivan’s day was hampered by some wayward driving, and although his putter continued to work well he was restricted to a string of pars as his challenge faltered.
McIlroy’s rival in the Race to Dubai, Danny Willett, started well but after four birdies by the 10th he was unable to keep going.
Five pars followed before back-to-back bogeys ended any hope he had of catching McIlroy, Willett eventually finishing in a tie for fourth on 13-under par after a final round of 70.
Branden Grace secured third spot on his own at 15 under with a birdie-laden 67, while Emiliano Grillo, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Charl Schwartzel, An Byeong-hun and Francesco Molinari joined Willett on 13 under.
Molinari’s impressive charge up the leaderboard began with a hole in one at the sixth, and after two bogeys he finished with a flourish, four birdies seeing him card a 68.
Shane Lowry finished in a tie for 48th after a final round 73.
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Andy Sullivan DP World Tour Championship European Tour Golf Review Rory McIlroy Victory