SEVE'S RECORD FALLS FOR HUGE ROR OF EMOTION

RORY MCILROY had to fight to keep his emotions in check after surpassing Seve Ballesteros for European Order of Merit crowns.

- BY PHIL CASEY

The Holywood man agonisingly lost the DP World Tour Championship on the first extra hole against Matt Fitzpatrick after a final-round eagle at the same 18th hole forced a playoff.

But his runner-up position easily handed him Order of Merit title No.7, his fourth in a row and one more than his idol.

"It's amazing," said McIlroy. "I had a conversation with Carmen [Seve's ex-wife] -before I went out to play today and she told me how proud he'd have been.

"He means so much to this tour and the European Ryder Cup team. We rally so much around his spirit, his quotes and everything he meant for European golf.

"To surpass him this year, I did not get this far in my dreams, so it's very cool."