Fitzpatrick edges McIlroy in play-off to clinch third DP World Tour Championship title

The Englishman started the day one shot off the lead but made three birdies in the first five holes to stay in the hunt before finishing with a flourish to sign for a bogey-free 66 and set the clubhouse target at 18 under par.

In a dramatic finish, World Number Two McIlroy got the eagle he needed at the last to force a play-off, only to find the penalty area with his tee-shot at the first extra hole.

And Fitzpatrick took full advantage, getting up and down for par to see off his Ryder Cup team-mate, win a second Rolex Series title and add a third DP World Tour Championship crown to the ones he won in 2016 and 2020.

McIlroy's second-place finish saw him clinch a seventh Harry Vardon Trophy after a stellar campaign in which he achieved the career Grand Slam with a memorable Masters win, tasted victory at the Amgen Irish Open and played a starring role in Europe's historic away Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black.

The Northern Irishman has now won the Race to Dubai title in each of the past four seasons and is just one away from Colin Montgomerie's record of eight.

Dubai residents Tommy Fleetwood and Laurie Canter finished alongside Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen in a tie for third on 17 under.

Fitzpatrick endured a difficult start to the year before following up a top-ten finish at the US PGA Championship with back-to-back fourth places at the Genesis Scottish Open and The 153rd Open.

His fine form continued as he finished inside the top six at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, Omega European Masters and BMW PGA Championship before helping Europe to an historic away Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black.

Fitzpatrick said: "It means the world. I struggled at the start of this year, obviously, and to turn it around in the summer like I did and have a Ryder Cup like I did...the Ryder Cup in particular, I feel like it's hard to top given everything.

"But the way that I played today, I feel like I really didn't hit one bad shot all day. I'm so proud of myself, the effort that everyone puts in behind the scenes. Yeah, what a feeling. What a feeling.

"Everyone on the team has really, I feel like, has come together, and I couldn't be happier. And obviously in that down period, I had the support of my wife and my friends and family, and to turn it around and be here now is very special."

He added: "I really want to make sure that I thoroughly enjoy it."