Fan favourite McIlroy clinches seventh Race to Dubai title

Dubai has long been a stage for some of modern-day sport's most unforgettable moments. In 2006, Tiger Woods produced a remarkable recovery from the rough on the 18th hole to force a playoff against Ernie Els at the Dubai Desert Classic, eventually triumphing and cementing golf's prestige in the Middle East.

- Leslie Wilson Jr [e-mail]

Just three years earlier, tennis fans had witnessed one of Dubai Duty Free Tennis' most iconic moments, when Roger Federer won his 100th career ATP singles title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in March 2019, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.

In horse racing, long celebrated as the sport of Sheikhs, Dubai has staged some of the most breathtaking moments in recent memory, perhaps none more exhilarating than when a horse called Arrogate surged from last to first in the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan, a performance that epitomized the city's love for sporting drama.

Storybook finish

On Sunday evening, Dubai added another unforgettable chapter to its sporting history as Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) hosted the DP World Tour Championship, the finale of the prestigious Race to Dubai. And it delivered a storybook ending: a dramatic playoff between two of the DP World Tour's most exciting players, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick that would test both strategic competitors' nerves and golfing precision to the limit.

However, McIlroy's epic year ended in heartbreaking fashion. After he produced a bit of magic to eagle the 18th and force the playoff, an errant tee shot that found the water set up victory for Fitzpatrick, who chipped to three feet and converted the par putt to seal victory, repeating his wins from 2016 and 2020.

McIlroy's consolation came in securing a seventh consecutive Race to Dubai title, cementing him as Europe's top player of the year, alongside victories at the Masters (where he completed his career Grand Slam), The Players Championship, and the Irish Open, as well as helping Team Europe win an away Ryder Cup.