With the state of play at the top of the Old World circuit’s rankings pointing to only one thing – a sixth Rory McIlroy victory – the contest for the 10 PGA Tour cards available to those not already in possession has added prominence to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
Closing with an eight-under-par 64 that included five birdies in his last six holes, the Dane made off with the DP World Tour Championship and the $US3 million first prize, easily the biggest of the 22-year-old’s career.
McIlroy, who is competing in the DP World Tour’s season finale in Dubai this week, was seen using TaylorMade’s Qi10 LS driver at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Tuesday.
One of seven players in the 50-strong field with a chance to finish top of the DP World Tour rankings, Fitzpatrick has already opened up a sizeable lead over his two main challengers, Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox.