McIlroy crowned Race to Dubai champion despite playoff defeat to Fitzpatrick

McIlroy celebrates eagle putt on 18th hole
McIlroy celebrates eagle putt on 18th holeFADEL SENNA / AFP

Rory McIlroy was on Sunday crowned the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai champion for a seventh year, and four seasons in a row, but the world No.2 lost the $10 million Tour Championship to England’s Matt Fitzpatrick in the first playoff hole when he found the water with his tee shot.

At the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday, Fitzpatrick (66) made a birdie on the 72nd hole of regulation play to set the mark at 18-under par.

A few minutes later, McIlroy sensationally eagled the same hole after a brilliant second shot to 16 feet.