It was a weekend of high drama and raw emotion on the golf course, headlined by Rory McIlroy's bittersweet triumph and the shock retirement of a fellow professional.
McIlroy's Historic and Emotional Victory
While Rory McIlroy was denied a fourth DP World Tour Championship title by England's Matt Fitzpatrick in a thrilling play-off, the Northern Irish superstar carved his name deeper into the history books on Sunday. The 36-year-old captured his seventh Race to Dubai title, an achievement that moved him to tears.
This latest victory marks his fourth consecutive win in the season-long competition and, most significantly, sees him surpass the legendary Seve Ballesteros, who won six titles. McIlroy revealed the emotional weight of the moment, telling Sky Sports he had spoken to Ballesteros's widow, Carmen, before his final round.
"It's amazing," McIlroy said, fighting back tears. "She told me how proud he would have been. He means so much to this tour and to the European Ryder Cup team. We rally so much around his spirit... To equal him last year was cool but to pass him this year... didn't get this far in my dreams. It's very cool."
A Shock Retirement Decision
In a surprising turn of events, American LPGA star Elizabeth Szokol announced her immediate retirement from professional golf at just 30 years of age. The decision came after she missed the cut by a single stroke at The Annika tournament, which was won by Linn Grant.
Szokol explained that lingering injuries and the demanding travel schedule of the tour led to her decision, which she finalised in July. "It's hard to believe it's been nine years playing, which is pretty crazy," she stated. "It was great to retire at home, a golf course I'm a member of, and had so many family and friends out today. So it was pretty special."
Mickelson's Congratulatory Message
Elsewhere, Phil Mickelson showed his support for a former colleague. English golfer Laurie Canter, who returned to the DP World Tour after his stint with LIV Golf ended, was one of ten players to earn a PGA Tour card for 2026 after finishing the DP World Tour Championship on -12.
The six-time major champion took to social media platform X to congratulate Canter, writing: "He has worked endlessly on his game and his success is well deserved." This public endorsement highlights the ongoing connections between players across the golfing landscape.
