FAIRWAY TO SEVEN

Mellroy goes one up on Seve

- BY KEITH WEBSTER

RORY McILROY fought to keep his emotions in check after surpassing Seve Ballesteros for European Order of Merit crowns.

The Northern Irishman 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 Mcllroy. “I had a conversation with Carmen [Seve's ex-wife] before I went out to play and she told me how proud hed 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.