McIlroy loses out to Fitzpatrick in playoff at World Tour Championship but wins Race to Dubai title
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy holed an eagle putt on No. 18 to force a playoff but lost out to Matt Fitzpatrick, who won the World Tour Championship for a third time on a chaotic final day of the 2025 golf season on Sunday.
The consolation for McIlroy was a fourth straight Race to Dubai title to complete a banner year that included winning the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam and an away Ryder Cup with Team Europe.
A final individual victory proved just beyond McIlroy, though, after he hit his drive into a creek on the first playoff hole – No. 18 – and made bogey. Fitzpatrick rolled in a par putt from 3 feet to win the season-ending title again at Jumeirah Golf Estates, after 2016 and 2020.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after a birdie on the 1st hole during the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
McIlroy delivered the biggest drama when he poured in a 15-footer for eagle on his last hole in regulation to complete a round of 5-under 67 and join Fitzpatrick (66) on 18-under par for the week.
Fitzpatrick watched it all in the scorer’s hut and met McIlroy outside, shaking his hand and giving his Ryder Cup teammate a hug.
They did so again after the playoff — which finished with both of them as winners.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
