Teary Rory McIlroy claims DP World Championship and sixth Race to Dubai

McIlroy ends the season with a flourish

Rory McIlroy rolled back the years with an emotional victory in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai that secured his third success of the season and a record-equalling sixth Race to Dubai title on Sunday.

The 33-year-old from Northern Ireland holed a six-foot birdie putt on the last to seal a three-stroke win over Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry.

McIlroy finished the tournament on 20-under par 268, three shots ahead of Lowry, to claim the European Tour’s season-ending event for the third time.

McIlroy wins his 4th DP World Tour Championship

This is McIlroy's fourth DP World Tour Championship victory. He also won the event in 2012, 2015 and 2018.

McIlroy's victory in Dubai is his sixth Race to Dubai title. He also won the award in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

McIlroy is the most successful player in the history of the Race to Dubai, which was first awarded in 2009.

Lowry finishes second

Lowry was making his first appearance in the DP World Tour Championship and finished second on 17-under par, with Tyrrell Hatton a shot further back in third.

McIlroy birdied the first two holes but bogeyed the third to slip back into a tie with Lowry. He then birdied the fifth, seventh and ninth holes to lead by two shots at the turn.

McIlroy extended his lead to three shots with a birdie on the 10th hole, and he held on to his advantage over the closing holes, despite a bogey on the 17th.

McIlroy equals Westwood's record

McIlroy's victory in Dubai sees him equal the record for the most Race to Dubai titles, which was previously held by Lee Westwood.

McIlroy is now also the only player to have won the Race to Dubai three times in a row.

McIlroy's victory in Dubai is a timely boost for the European Tour, which has been hit by the defection of several top players to the LIV Golf Series.