McIlroy wins World Tour Championship in Dubai

Rory McIlroy secured the Race to Dubai title for the third time in four seasons with a one-shot victory at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday.

A crucial bogey putt at the 17th kept McIlroy ahead as Sullivan watched a birdie putt slide by the hole, and with it the chance to tie the lead going to the 18th tee.

McIlroy came from behind in the final round to finish one ahead of Andy Sullivan.

The battle for the Rookie of the Year was won by Korea’s An Byeong Hun (71), who finished at 275 – the same as his closest rival at the start of the week, England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick (70).

The Englishman was on course to go wire-to-wire and make the European Tour’s closing event his fourth win of the season when increasing his one-shot overnight lead to three with four birdies in his opening six holes.

The 29-year-old then hit his third shot over the green but chipped in for the most unlikely of pars, much to the delight of his 30-strong personal fan club who had travelled from Nuneaton to support him this week.

McIlroy’s 12th tour title means the 26-year-old Northern Irishman also retained the Race to Dubai, formerly known as the Order of Merit and given to Europe’s top money earner.