Matt Fitzpatrick defeated Rory McIlroy in a play-off to win the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, but McIlroy secured the season-long Race to Dubai title, surpassing Seve Ballesteros's record of six wins.
McIlroy, who needed an eagle on the 72nd hole to force the play-off, described surpassing Ballesteros as more than he ever dreamed of. He told Sky Sports: 'It's amazing, I had a conversation with Carmen [Ballesteros's ex-wife] before I went out to play today and she told me how proud he would have been.'
The Northern Irishman now has seven Race to Dubai titles, one behind record-holder Colin Montgomerie. McIlroy added: 'I want it [eight titles], of course I do. I was the first European to win the grand slam and I would love to be the European with the most wins.'
Fitzpatrick started the final day one shot behind McIlroy and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. He carded a bogey-free 66 to set the clubhouse lead, then watched as McIlroy holed a 15-foot eagle putt to force extra holes. In the play-off, both players missed the green with their approaches, but Fitzpatrick got up and down for par while McIlroy could not.
Fitzpatrick said: 'He [McIlroy] is one of only a few where you know you are going to a playoff. You are two clear with one to play and you know you are going to a playoff because he did it again in typical Rory fashion.'
Tommy Fleetwood finished tied for third alongside Neergaard-Petersen and two others, while Tyrrell Hatton, who had a faint chance of denying McIlroy the Race to Dubai title, fell to a share of 14th place.
