McIlroy, Rahm cap season with elite European titles
DUBAI: Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy cemented his place as the European No.1 by winning the Race to Dubai for the fourth time in his career on Sunday with Spain’s Jon Rahm sealing a third DP World Tour Championship.
World No.1 McIlroy, 33, closed with a four-under-par 68, which was good for a solo fourth place and clinch the Race to Dubai crown after a gap of seven years.
McIlroy emulated Henrik Stenson, the only other golfer to win the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same season in 2013.
With England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox unable to win the tournament, the path became easier for McIlroy when he finished ahead of both players.
“This means a lot. Obviously, this is my fourth one, but it’s been a while. I’ve won three FedEx Cups since the last time I won the Race to Dubai,” said McIlroy. “I was a model of consistency the whole way through the year. A lot of top finishes. I think my worst finish of the European Tour events I played this year was 12th at the start of the year in Abu Dhabi.
“Would have been nice to get one win in there at the end of the year here. But Jon obviously played an incredible tournament and fully deserved it. I am excited for 2023.”
Rahm, who turned 28 this month, started with three straight birdies and even though he followed up with a bogey on the fourth hole, there was never any question about his dominance as a five-under par 67 round gave him a two-shot win with a 20-underpar total.
The win came with a cheque of US$3 million for the world No.5 from Spain.
“This feels very special. I said that I feel like I’m defending the title from three years ago because I couldn’t come and defend. Very proud of myself for that and how well I’ve done, especially on the weekend,” said the 2021 US Open champion.
LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES (par 72, GBR and IRL unless stated)
268 — Jon Rahm (ESP) 70-66-65-67
270 — Tyrrell Hatton 65-67-72-66, Alexander Noren (SWE) 66-69-68-67
272 — Rory McIlroy 71-68-65-68
275 — Matthew Fitzpatrick 65-67-70-73, Tommy Fleetwood 68-70-68-69