(Reuters) Rory McIlroy won Dubai’s DP World Tour Championship yesterday, overhauling overnight leader Andy Sullivan with four birdies on the back nine to also be crowned Europe’s top money earner for a third year in four.
McIlroy carded a final round 66 to end with a 21-under aggregate score of 267, having begun the day on 15 under, a shot adrift of England’s Sullivan at the $8 million European Tour’s season finale.
Playing partner Sullivan’s 68 left him on 268, one stroke short despite stretching his advantage early on as McIlroy seized control mid-round with seven birdies in 11 holes.
The four-time major winner could even afford to take a drop on the 17th after finding the water, eventually recovering to make a 40-foot bogey before sealing victory with a 12-inch par putt on the final green.
It’s probably the longest putt I’ve ever made for a bogey; I don’t think there’s been one that’s come at a better time, so definitely the best bogey of my career,” the Northern Irishman told reporters.
The victory was his fourth of the year and first since May, McIlroy having missed three tournaments including the British Open at St. Andrews after rupturing ankle ligaments while playing soccer in July.
McIlroy’s 12th tour title means the 26-year-old also retained the Race to Dubai, formerly known as the Order of Merit and given to Europe’s top money earner. He was also victorious in 2012 and 2014.
SULLIVAN START
Ahead of play, McIlroy practiced his putting until almost the last moment while Sullivan casually waited on the opening tee. But the duo seemed at ease with each other, amiably chatting and joking as they walked the first fairway.
Sullivan, ranked 53 in the world, sunk an eight-foot birdie on the first after seeing McIlroy miss a 15-footer that ended just short.
Both birdied the second, Sullivan moving to 18 under and McIlroy two adrift on 16 under.