Calling his six Race to Dubai wins “a huge achievement”, McIlroy was clearly keen to enjoy the moment and the fact that he has now tied the record of the late, great Seve Ballesteros. Only Colin Montgomerie’s eight wins are still to be surpassed.
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.
An overnight storm led to preferred lies being in place, so the 33-year-old Englishman’s effort will not count in the former European Tour’s record books.
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.