Rory McIlroy both won and lost on Sunday.
On the one hand, he fell just short at the season-ending World Tour Championship despite forcing a playoff with a dramatic eagle on the final hole. Matt Fitzpatrick prevailed in the playoff to clinch a World Tour Championship for the third time in his career.
On the other hand, McIlroy won from a macro perspective because he performed well enough to capture a fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
It was McIlroy’s seventh overall Race to Dubai title, which is given to the top European player of the year. He is just one short of Colin Montgomerie’s record.
“It seems within touching distance now,” McIlroy said of the record, per the Associated Press. “I’d love to be the winningest European in terms of Order of Merits and season-long races. You know, I’ve probably got a few more good years left in me, and hopefully I can catch him and surpass him.”
The 36-year-old gave himself an opportunity to take home two titles Sunday when he eagled the final hole of regulation, but he hit his drive into the water on the first playoff hole and ended up with a bogey.
Fitzpatrick delivered with a par to win the tournament.
Still, it was an incredible year for McIlroy.
Most notably, he completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in a playoff over Justin Rose. McIlroy etched his name in golf history by joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only six golfers to win a career Grand Slam.
He also won The Players Championship and his home Irish Open to go along with a victory at the Ryder Cup with Team Europe.
It all culminated in yet another Race to Dubai title for the legendary golfer.
