Rory McIlroy seals DP World Tour and Race to Dubai to repeat 2012 feat

Dubai - Teeing off together in a high-noon showdown, both men carded five birdies and a bogey apiece through to the 12th hole on the Earth Course In Dubai.

 Rory McIlroy eventually got the better of Andy Sullivan in their desert duel here to close out a Dubai double with this one-shot victory at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday.
Teeing off together in a high-noon showdown, both men carded five birdies and a bogey apiece through to the 12th hole on the Earth Course In Dubai.
However, McIlroy's greater experience perhaps told from that point on, with three birdies over the next four holes opening up a two-stroke buffer with three more to play. A bogey for the Northern Irishman on the 17th then set up a nerve-jangling and tense finish, but he kept his composure to seal a slender success over Sullivan at the last.
The world number three (68, 68, 65, 66) finished on 21-under par (267) to edge out his English adversary (66, 66, 68, 68 - 268), while South Africa's Branden Grace came in five shots further back in third on 15 under (68, 69, 69, 67 - 273).
McIlroy's third and final tournament win of the 2015 season ensured he also prevailed in the Race to Dubai (RTD), thereby replicating the same feat he achieved three years ago now.
Having won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic back in February as well, he has also won the two European Tour events held here in the emirate in the very same year. Spain's Alvaro Quiros was the last man to do that back in 2011.
"I've played really good golf this week, with a 13-under par weekend, and I couldn't think of a better way to finish the season," the 26-year-old said afterwards in his post-tournament press conference.
"To be the European Tour number one for the third time in four years was a goal of mine at the start of the year; it was a goal of mine in the middle of the year and it was definitely a goal of mine coming into these last few weeks.
"So, I'm really happy going into the Christmas break and looking forward to what's in store for 2016."
A year-end win is undoubtedly a timely fillip for McIlroy as he prepares for the new season and he believes his all-round game is in good enough shape right now to be in contention for the major prizes on offer.
"I'm right there," McIlroy added. "The only thing that has been holding me back over the past few weeks was my putting. My ball-striking is right where I want it to be.
"I just want to get as strong and as healthy as possible going into next year and just keep on top of the things that I'm doing well and keep trying to chip away at the things I want to do a little bit better.
"But, all aspects of my game are in good shape now and, if my game is in this shape going into next year, I'd be very happy and fell like I could do very well."
alex@khaleejtimes.com