Fitzpatrick sends classy message to McIlroy after | Golf News

Matt Fitzpatrick secured his third DP World Tour Championship victory after defeating Rory McIlroy in a dramatic playoff, and has since shared his ideas on social media following his triumph over his emotional Ryder Cup teammate and good friend.

“It means the world,” declared Fitzpatrick after wrapping up 2025 with a third victory. “Struggled at the start of this year, obviously, and to turn it around in the summer like I did and have a Ryder Cup like I did, Ryder Cup in particular, feel like it’s hard to top given everything.

“But the way in which that I performed today, , I really feel like I actually did not hit one unhealthy shot all day. I’m so proud of myself, the hassle that everybody places in behind the scenes. Yeah, what a feeling. What a feeling.”

Fitzpatrick proceeded to praise McIlroy, who appeared visibly distraught following the playoff defeat, after the Northern Irishman missed out on the season-ending championship.

“Thank you to my spouse, household, and workforce for your help always. And congratulations to Rory McIlroy always enjoyable to compete with you mate!”

The sole scenario for McIlroy losing the Race to Dubai championship was if Marco Penge emerged victorious while McIlroy finished third, but that situation never materialized. McIlroy delivered an eagle on the 18th hole during regular play to force extra holes, but ultimately fell short against Fitzpatrick, though still managed to claim the Race to Dubai crown regardless.

With his Race to Dubai achievement, McIlroy has now exceeded Severiano Ballesteros’s tally of Race to Dubai championships, as McIlroy currently holds seven and sits just one behind Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight.

“I had a course with his spouse, Carmen, before I went out to play today, and she told me how proud he would have been,” McIlroy shared after clinching the Race to Dubai title.

“You know, I said this on this inexperienced last 12 months, he means so a lot to this tour and to the European Ryder Cup Team. We rally so a lot around his spirit and his quotes and every thing he meant for European golf. To equal him last 12 months was cool but to surpass him this 12 months, yeah, I did not get this far in my desires, so it’s totally cool.”

McIlroy also revealed his ambition to secure an eighth title and match Montgomerie.

“I need it, of course I do. I caught up with Monty this week when he was right here a couple days in the past and I noticed him. Look, it appears within touching distance now. I’d love to be the winningest European in phrases of Order of Merits and season-long races.

“I’ve probably got a few more good years left in me, and hopefully I can catch him and surpass him.”