Leader at the start of the week of the DP World Tour ranking – formerly Race to Dubai – Rory McIlroy had to finish in the top 7 of the final, disputed on the Earth Course of Jumeirah Golf Estate, to ward off the threat of Matthew Fitzpatrick and thus succeed Collin Morikawa on the charts.
Twice winner of the final (2016 and 2020), the Englishman, 3rd in the general classification and who could steal the European title from him provided he finished in the top 2, was quickly left behind, in particular because of a double bogey at hole n°8 to finish at -13. From then on, the world No. 1 only had to manage his lead. On the heels of his ascending form over the first 3 rounds (71, 68, 65), he posted a solid 68 to finish in 4th place in this final (-16).
Jon Rahm’s hat-trick
At 33, McIrloy thus achieved the PGA Tour-European Tour double, which only Henrik Stenson had achieved before him (2013). It is also the fourth time that he has lifted the Harry-Vardon trophy after 2012, 2014 and 2015. He pocketed the bonus of 2 million dollars (1,930,000 euros) promised to the winner of the continental circuit.
Last tournament of the season, the DP World Tour Championship crowned a regular there, Jon Rahm, already winner in 2017 and 2019. Author of a 67 final (-20 total), he becomes the first player to achieve the hat- trick on the Earth Course, also the first to count 5 Rolex Series (the 3 finals, plus 2 Irish Open in 2017 and 2019), the premier category of the European circuit. At 28, the Spaniard, ranked 5th in the world, leaves Dubai with a check for 2,891,271 euros.
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