DP World Tour Championship: Final Leaderboard
The DP World Tour Championship showcased an exciting finish with Matt Fitzpatrick emerging victorious after a playoff against Rory McIlroy. The tournament concluded with an impressive leaderboard that highlighted some of the best golfers in the world.
Final Standings
- -18: Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG)*, Rory McIlroy (NI)
- -17: Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (DEN), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Laurie Canter (ENG), Ludvig Aberg (SWE)
- -15: Rasmus Hojgaard (DEN)
- -14: Robert MacIntyre (SCO)
- -12: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Justin Rose (ENG)
- -9: Marco Penge (ENG)
(*Indicates that the player won via playoff)
Viewers can catch the highlights of this thrilling championship on BBC Two at 17:35 GMT.
McIlroy’s Emotional Year
Rory McIlroy’s year was marked by remarkable achievements, yet it concluded with the bittersweet feeling of finishing second at the DP World Tour Championship. Securing a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April stood out as one of the highlights of his season, alongside victories at Pebble Beach in February, the Players Championship in March, and the Irish Open in September.
In addition to these accomplishments, McIlroy played a significant role in Europe’s victory at the Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black in New York, marking the first time Europe won the Cup on U.S. soil since 2012. As the season came to a close, McIlroy clinched his seventh Race to Dubai title, extending his record ahead of golf legend Seve Ballesteros while chasing Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight.
“I spoke with Carmen [Ballesteros’ former wife] before my round, and she reminded me of Seve’s legacy,” McIlroy shared, his voice breaking with emotion. “To surpass him this year is beyond my dreams.”
Fitzpatrick Triumphs in Dubai
Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, put together a remarkable final round, carding a bogey-free 66. Despite an early two-shot lead for McIlroy during the round, a few late bogeys allowed Fitzpatrick to take command. He started strong with three birdies over his first five holes and maintained steady play with eight pars before finishing with three birdies in his closing five holes, ending the round at 18 under par.
As McIlroy and his partner, Neergaard-Petersen, needed to make eagle putts on the last hole to force a playoff, both displayed a tense determination. While Neergaard-Petersen missed his putt from 20 feet, McIlroy found his rhythm, sinking a 15-foot putt and celebrating exuberantly.
Fitzpatrick waited for McIlroy at the green, where the two shared a friendly embrace, reflecting the camaraderie among the players from the Ryder Cup team before heading back for the sudden-death playoff.
In the tense playoff, McIlroy faced a setback, hitting his tee shot into the water and finishing with a six. In contrast, Fitzpatrick played it safe, managing to chip in for a five, securing his victory.
“This victory means the world to me,” Fitzpatrick remarked. “I struggled early in the year but turned my form around in the summer; finishing strong feels incredible.”
Penge Shines in Overall Standings
The excitement of the championship extended beyond the duel between McIlroy and Fitzpatrick. As the tension escalated in the closing stages, several players vied for the lead, hinting at the possibility of a six-way playoff.
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen appeared to fall out of contention after recording several bogeys, but he stormed back with a strong finish, earning a spot just behind at 17 under after shooting a 68. Similarly, Tommy Fleetwood and Laurie Canter tied with Neergaard-Petersen, both finishing at -17.
Fleetwood’s solid back nine performance included five birdies, while Canter’s round was bolstered by four early birdies. Ludvig Aberg also matched Fitzpatrick’s final score with a 66.
The day was not without drama as Justin Rose, a former Masters runner-up, initially played well. Despite a promising start, he finished at -12 after a series of pars and bogeys late in his round.
Tyrrell Hatton had hopes of disrupting McIlroy’s Race to Dubai claim but faced challenges early, ultimately finishing level-par for the day. Meanwhile, Marco Penge recorded a closing 67, placing him in the top tier of the overall standings and securing one of ten PGA Tour cards for the upcoming season.
Other English golfers, including Canter, John Parry, and Jordan Smith, also earned membership, along with Neergaard-Petersen, who qualified after a strong finish to the tournament.
