Fitzpatrick shows class with McIlroy admission | Golf News

Matt Fitzpatrick was fast to specific sympathy for his buddy and Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy following a thrilling playoff triumph at the DP World Tour Championship.

Fitzpatrick secured his third DP World Tour Championship title, including to his earlier wins in 2016 and 2020, after edging out McIlroy in a dramatic playoff as the Northern Irishman tried an unimaginable late surge.

McIlroy trailed Fitzpatrick by two strokes heading into the ultimate gap, but sank a spectacular eagle putt to drive the playoff. Despite McIlroy’s successes at both the Masters and Ryder Cup this yr, fortune did not favor him this time as Fitzpatrick sealed victory with a short tap-in.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Fitzpatrick mirrored: “It means the world. I struggled at the start of this year, but to turn it around in the summer and then have the Ryder Cup that I did… I felt like that was hard to top.

“But the best way I felt today, I felt I hit like one dangerous shot all day. What a feeling. I had not been hitting it superb all week, but I hit rather well today. I managed to roll a couple in late to get in place.

“I was two clear with one to play and I knew I was going to a playoff! In typical Rory fashion, he did it again. Obviously, I am delighted [to win] while feeling for him. You never like to see the way it ends (Rory losing the playoffs).”

Despite lacking out on the DP World Tour Championship and its $3 million grand prize, McIlroy expressed his satisfaction for his close buddy and Ryder Cup teammate Matthew Fitzpatrick.

He shared: “Got off to the perfect start, three-under through five, four-under through seven. “Felt like I’d kind of taken control of the golf event, was a couple forward and then I made two bogeys on the best way in on 12 and 16 and did not birdie 14 and 15, the birdie holes. Obviously knew I needed one thing to occur on the last.

“I actually hit a great shot on 17, came up a little short on a great putt then lipped out. But yeah, I knew what I needed to do. I hit a great five wood, lucky to see Rasmus’ putt before mine, saw his sort of hung out to the right a little bit before it started to turn so got a bit of a read from him.

“And yeah, look, a great approach to end. It was good to have the opportunity to summon what I needed to to make the play-off. But sadly hitting it in the water there on 18 in the play-off just kind of put me behind the eight-ball, but joyful for Matt. He’s had a great end to the season.

“Played great to get on the Ryder Cup team, and then he’s sort of kept it going since. So really happy for him as well.”

Despite falling short against Fitzpatrick, McIlroy’s efficiency still earned him his seventh Race to Dubai title, surpassing Seve Ballesteros’ six titles and inching nearer to Colin Montgomerie’s file of eight.