Rory McIlroy Loses Playoff to Matt Fitzpatrick, Wins Race to Dubai

Rory McIlroy recorded an eagle on the 72nd hole to force a playoff before falling to Matt Fitzpatrick at the World Tour Championship on Sunday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. While Fitzpatrick won the season-closing event for the third time, McIlroy captured his fourth straight Race for Dubai title as the top European player of the year. The Northern Irishman has seven such titles, one shy of Colin Montgomerie for top honors. ‘I want it, of course I do,’ McIlroy said of catching Montgomerie. ‘I caught up with Monty this week when he was here a couple days ago and I saw him. Look, it seems within touching distance now. I’d love to be the winningest European in terms of Order of Merits and season-long races. You know, I’ve probably got a few more good years left in me, and hopefully I can catch him and surpass him.’