Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick will headline next month’s DP World Tour Championship as the pair each bid to become the first to win the season-ending event for a third time.
The major champions, sitting first and second in the 2022 DP World Tour Rankings, have been confirmed for the circuit’s finale, which runs at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 17-20.
McIlroy, who won around the Earth Course in 2012 and 2015, has led the season-long standings since finishing runner-up at the Open at St Andrews in July.
Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, sits closest to his former Ryder Cup teammate, helped in large part by securing his first major title with the US Open in Brookline in June. Fitzpatrick won the DP World Tour Championship in 2016 and 2020, while he was runner-up last year to Collin Morikawa.
McIlroy, a four-time major champion, has enjoyed another impressive year on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, claiming the FedEx Cup on the former and recording seven top-five finishes on the latter.
In a statement released on Monday, McIlroy, European No 1 in 2012, 2014 and 2015, said: “I’m really excited to return to the DP World Tour Championship, especially with a chance of winning the Harry Vardon Trophy for a fourth time.
“I have some great memories of playing golf in Dubai, from making my first cut on tour as an amateur, to winning my first DP World Tour title [2009 Dubai Desert Classic] and then finishing top of the rankings on three occasions.
Matt Fitzpatrick wins 2022 US Open - in pictures
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Matt Fitzpatrick holds the championship trophy after winning the 2022 US Open at Brookline, Massachusetts, USA. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick lines up a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the US Open. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris shake hands after completing the final round. Englishman Fitzpatrick carded a six-under 68 to win by a single shot. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick talks to commentator Mike Tirico after winning the US Open. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England putts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2022 US Open. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England is embraced by his brother Alex. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England along with father Russell, brother Alex and mother Susan, holds the trophy after winning the 2022 US Open. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England hits from the bunker to the 18th green. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England lines up a shot on the 15th green. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick plays his shot from the eighth tee. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts to a missed putt on the ninth green. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot from the fourth tee. AFP -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot from the third tee. AFP -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts to a missed putt for birdie on the ninth green. AFP -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England celebrates winning on the 18th green with caddie Billy Foster. AFP
“To win both the DP World Tour Rankings and the FedEx Cup in the same season would be a great achievement and would cap what has been a memorable year on the golf course."
Lying second in the seasonal race, Fitzpatrick has three top-10 finishes outside of victory at the US Open, including runner-up at the DS Automobiles Italian Open.
“It’s very exciting to go to Dubai with a chance of winning the DP World Tour Rankings,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’ve come very close to finishing top in the past, so I’ll be going to Jumeirah Golf Estates with a lot of confidence knowing that I’ve had some great results on the Earth Course in the past.”
The DPWTC comprises the top 50 players available on the DP World Tour Rankings. Now in its 14th year, it represents the final Rolex Series event of the season. Jon Rahm and Henrik Stenson are the tournament’s other two-time champions.
