Rory McIlroy has recorded a two-shot victory at the DP World Tour Championship to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman went into the season-ending event aware that a top-11 finish would be enough to add yet another year-long rankings crown to his name.
However, having spent the tournament competing for the win, that was never in any real doubt, with the onus firmly placed on prevailing in this week's event.
A 68 on Saturday had put McIlroy into a three-way share of the lead and a 69 on Sunday was enough to see off the challenge of the chasing pack.
Although he started with a bogey, McIlroy responded with four successive birdies to stamp his authority at the top of the leaderboard.
Nevertheless, two bogeys during the middle part of his round meant that birdies on 16 and 18 were imperative to fend off Rasmus Hojgaard.
His 22-foot par save on 17 ensured that the 23-year-old remained competitive down the last, but failure to convert his birdie attempt allowed McIlroy to seal a two-shot win.
Rory wins his THIRD DP World Tour Championship title 🏆#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/D2Bogy7kVz
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 17, 2024
Who were the best of the rest?
Antoine Rozner, Adam Scott and Shane Lowry were all left to settle for a share of third place, Rozner finishing four shots adrift having posted a final-round 73.
England's Tyrrell Hatton recorded a second 71 in a row to finish in sixth spot, with Scotland's Robert MacIntyre among those who finished inside the top 10.
South Africa's Thriston Lawrence - who was McIlroy's nearest challenger at the beginning of the week - had to make do with a share of 30th position.
Darren Plant
