Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick have shared the green before their thrilling DP World Championship clash
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
09:35, 17 Nov 2025
Matt Fitzpatrick came out on top in Sunday’s play-off(Image: Getty Images)
Matt Fitzpatrick had nothing but positive things to say about Rory McIlroy before the two golfers enjoyed a head-to-head battle at the DP World Championship. The Northern Irishman led the field heading into the final day of play at the Earth Course before a number of mistakes on the back nine forced a play-off against the Englishman.
In a repeat of the 18th hole, it was Fitzpatrick who came out on top to earn his third triumph at Jumeirah to bank the £2.3million prize. While rivals on Sunday, the golfers enjoy a close friendship and it was only this past summer when the 31-year-old voiced just how much respect he has for the five-time major champion.
The pair finished out their Open Championship campaign alongside each other back in July with Fitzpatrick baring witness to the intense support McIlroy received from the hometown crowd.
Speaking after he was eliminated from contention, with Scottie Scheffler eventually winning the Claret Jug, Fitzpatrick said of the environment on the final day at Portrush: “Yeah, it was good.
“I’ve heard enough “Rorys” to last me a lifetime. I love playing with Rory. He’s fantastic. He’s such a great guy, and in an environment like that where he’s obviously trying arguably more than everyone else to win, to just have the class that he has is awesome.”
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While Sunday’s play-off was a bitter blow for McIlroy to take, the 36-year-old still managed to claim the Race to Dubai title. The honour – which he clinched for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time in his career – came with a £1.5m bonus.
Matt Fitzpatrick won the DP World Championship for the third time(Image: AP)
Fitzpatrick paid praise to McIlroy after their battle as he said: “He (McIlroy) is one of only a few where you know you are going to a play-off. You are two clear with one to play and you know you are going to a play-off because he did it again in typical Rory fashion.
“I struggled at the start of the year, obviously, and to turn it round in the summer like I did, have the Ryder Cup like I did which is hard to top, but the way I played today – there was one bad shot all day. So proud of myself.”
Rory McIlroy won his seventh Race to Dubai crown(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Despite his frustration on missing out on a fourth DP World Championship title, McIlroy congratulated Fitzpatrick and the form he’s showed in the business end of the season. It was nice to be able to summon what I needed to to make the play-off.
“But unfortunately hitting it in the water there on 18 in the play-off just sort of put me behind the eight-ball, but happy for Matt,” the Masters champion said. “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.”
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