Golf

McIlroy pipped by Ryder Cup pal for World Tour title

By AAP Newswire

Nov 17, 2025

Rory McIlroy holed an eagle putt on the last hole to force a playoff but then lost out to Matt Fitzpatrick, who won the World Tour Championship for a third time on a chaotic final day of the 2025 European golf season.

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The substantial consolation for McIlroy on Sunday was to seal a fourth straight Race to Dubai title -- and seventh European order of merit title in all -- to complete a banner year that included winning the Masters to complete the career grand slam and an away Ryder Cup triumph with Team Europe.

But a final individual victory proved just beyond McIlroy after he hit his drive into a creek on the first playoff hole – No.18 – and could only make a bogey.

Fitzpatrick then rolled in a par putt from three feet to win the season-ending title again at Jumeirah Golf Estates, following his wins in 2016 and 2020.

McIlroy delivered the biggest drama when he poured in a 16-footer for eagle on his last hole in regulation to complete a round of five-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.