Matt Fitzpatrick Wins DP World Championship and Lee Westwood Race to Dubai.

Matt Fitzpatrick is the DP World Tour Championship title winner, while Lee Westwood became European #1 claiming the Race to Dubai title, for the third time in his career, at Jumeirah Golf Estates in UAE.

Lee had a last round -4 under 68 for second place in the tournament at -14 under par, and to win the Race to Dubai, he had finished his round and sat and watched the other contenders fail to catch him;

“It was a great finish, I sat there watching it, it’s always exciting this tournament, coming down the stretch and there’s always thrills and spills.”

“There was the Race to Dubai up for the grabs, the tournament. It was an exciting end to the year. It’s hard to quantify.”

“It’s nice to watch these young kids play, they tear it up out there. I enjoyed the Ryder Cup last time out when I was vice-captain. It’s a lot less pressure than having to hit the greens and hole the putts yourself.”

“The Ryder Cup would be great if I got in again, I would love to play again but at some point I’m hoping the captaincy will be offered to me. I would love to do that.”

Matt had a final round -4 under par 68 to win the DP World Tour Championship with a -15 under par total, starting the day with four birdies in a row, but was full of praise for Lee;

“Lee is just the definition of the Tour, isn’t he, just a phenomenal player, and has been for so long now.”

“I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

“It was a dream start, I managed to pull away and create some distance between me and the rest.”

“The back-nine was bit of grind, if I’m honest. It was just about finishing one hole at a time and just getting through it.”

“But all I was bothered about this week was winning. I turned up here 16th in Race to Dubai so that didn’t really enter my head. I just wanted to win this week.”

Viktor Hovland, -3 under 69 today, and Patrick Reed -2 under 70, tied for third place on 13 under par.

DP World Championship. Patrick Reed Has 36 Hole Lead.

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed of the USA has the 36 hole lead at the DP World Championship being played at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in UAE.

Patrick carded a second round -8 under par 64 to take a two shot lead in the DP World Championship at -10 under par, after 36 holes;

“Anytime you shoot eight under par you’re always happy.”

“I feel like today I got off to a little better start than I did yesterday and the putter was working a little bit.”

“There’s a lot of golf left. I feel like the biggest thing is yesterday just seemed like I kept burning edges, and a couple iron shots and scoring clubs that I didn’t hit as close as I needed to and wanted to.”

“I was able to warm up a little bit last night on the range after the round and tighten things up, and today I gave myself a lot of chances. I hit it close on a lot of holes and therefore I saw lines a little better and I was able to free up the putter and make some putts.”

“Anytime you have the lead, a share of the lead, whatever it ends up being at the end of the day, you’re always going to be pleased. You put yourself in position going into the weekend to have a shot at it, and that’s all you can ask for is giving yourself a chance to win a golf tournament.”

Matt Fitzpatrick of England holds second place at -8 under par, after his consecutive rounds of -4 under 68;

“This is a golf course I love. It’s a golf course I’ve played well around before, and I’m really, really looking forward to the weekend.”

“I’ve been in the position before to win around here. Obviously I know what it takes. But at the same time it’s four years ago now. It’s just a long time ago, unfortunately. But things change, my game changes, different swing thoughts.”

Sharing third spot at -7 under par are Tyrrell Hatton, -4 under 68 today, and Laurie Canter with -6 under 66, both players from England.

DP World Tour Championship. Victor Perez Has 1st Round Lead.

Victor Perez of France has the first round lead at the DP World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE.

Victor carded a first round -5 under par 67 to lead the DP World Championship by one shot in his quest to become the first Frenchman to end the year as European Number One, in the Race to Dubai;

“As always on these tough courses, tough pins today, they really put up a good setup with some of the pins.”

“It was just about holing a few good putts, driving the ball well, doing everything fairly well but obviously making a few putts, which you need those type of days.”

“In the position I’m in, I have nothing to lose. I have everything to gain. So for me it’s really a going for it mentality that I have to keep for four rounds.”

“Obviously you still have to play proper golf and hit the right shots and sometimes take your medicine, but again, I have really nothing to lose, and it’s a matter of making a lot of birdies.”

Three players are tied in second place at -6 under after rounds of  68, Matt Fitzpatrick, England, Erik Van Rooyen, South Africa, and Robert Macintyre of Scotland.

Matt is excited to be in the hunt for the Harry Vardon Trophy;

“To be able to have a chance to win the Race to Dubai despite everything that’s going on is amazing and absolutely I’d be delighted if I could take the opportunity that I have.”

Robert said there is still a long way to go;

“It would mean everything to win the Race to Dubai, not just to me but to the whole team, but again, it’s a long, long way away. Just got to keep doing what we’re doing.”

Race to Dubai current leader Patrick Reed, USA, was at -2 under, while #2 Tommy Fleetwood, England, carded a first round of -3 under par 69.

Jon Rahm Wins DP World Tour Championship & Race to Dubai.

Jon Rahm of Spain won the DP World Tour Championship, and along with it the season long Race to Dubai on a dramatic day at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

Jon & Trophies / getty

Jon needed a birdie at the last to win it all, with a final round -4 under 68 and a -19 under par total;

“Somehow, I can’t explain how, it was about as calm as I can be, honestly.”

 “Felt really, really confident. I had my mission in mind and I’m like, you need to get this up-and-down, yes or yes.”

“Man, you dream of making birdies on 18 to win a tournament.”

“And how I was playing early on, I was hoping not to need that, but it happened, and I came through when I needed it and really proud of myself for that.”

Tommy Fleetwood, England, pushed Jon all the way to that dramatic last hole, finishing in second place that one hot back at -18 under par after his great last round of -7 under par 65, a hot putter driving him on;

“I feel fine, I couldn’t have done much more, really.”

“Some of the shots they hit coming down the stretch, it started looking like I could get back in it or might have a chance.”

“It’s Jon time, Jon’s moment. He has played unbelievable this year and fair play. Great birdie down the last and yeah, just happy with my week.”

Long time leader of the tournament, Mike Lorenzo-Vera, from France, was third at -17 under par, he posted a last round of -2 under 70.

DP World Tour Championship. Two Tied at the Top, Jon & Mike.

Mike Lorenzo-Vera, France and Jon Rahm from Spain are tied at the top of the DP World Tour Championship leaderboard after 54 holes in Dubai.

            Mike & Jon

Mike continued his charge for his first European Tour win, with a third round -3 under 69, he was caught at the top of the DP World Tour Championship leaderboard by Jon, who carded -6 under 66, both have -15 under par totals.

Mike spoke about the pressure of trying to win a world record prize of US$3million;

“Maybe tomorrow you shoot six under and then you put your family out of any trouble for the rest of your life.”

“So of course it’s going to add some pressure.”

“But I’ll really try to focus on the game. We’ll see, hopefully I’ll be shaking for the good reasons.”

“To win in Dubai, only the big names do it, and that would be really awesome for me, for my confidence and my career and to achieve that tomorrow would be really an awesome achievement.”

Jon also has goose-bumps about tomorrow;

“It gives me goose-bumps to think about that.”

“I’ve said it many times, as a Spanish player, any time you join or you have the chance to put your name on a list where there’s only one name and that name is Seve, it’s pretty impactful. It’s really emotional for all of us.”

“To think not even Sergio Garcia or Miguel Ángel Jiménez or José María Olazábal, or many other great players couldn’t get it done. It’s hard to believe that I have the chance to be the second.”

“But I’m just going to try to enjoy the afternoon. There’s still 18 more holes to play

Rory has played his way back into contention, shooting a third round -7 under 65, to grab third place at -13 under, just two back of the leaders;

“That’s what life is all about, it’s learning from what you do and being of a present mind so that you can learn as you go.” 

“I sort of figured out what I did wrong yesterday and I was able to rectify it somewhat today and get myself back in the tournament.”

“Winning would be really cool, especially with the guys that are up there around the lead. You’ve got Rahmbo is playing great, Tommy, obviously, Mike is holding steady up there. “

“It’s been a great year so far and this is my last event of the year. It would be wonderful going into the break to finish on a high.”

 

DP World Tour Championship. Mike Still Leads.

Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France is seeking his first European Tour victory, and is looking good here at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

                                               Mike / getty

Mike shot a second round -3 under 69 to stay on top of the DP World Tour Championship leaderboard at Jumeirah Golf Estates with a -12 under total;

“I missed a couple of shots at the end and made a three-putt on the last.”

“It’s just the game. I’ve got a three-shot lead and it’s better than being three shots behind.”

“It’s just going to be stressful because there are big dogs behind me that are going to try to bite me, so it’s going to be interesting.”

Either Jon Rahm, Spain, -3 under 69 today or Tommy Fleetwood of England, -4 under 68 could be crowned as Race to Dubai champion, the race is really between them, and they are currently tied in second place at -9 under par.

Jon secured an Eagle on the last hole, just like Rory did yesterday;

“I was jealous of Rory yesterday so I tried to copy that.”

“It had to be a perfect five wood to get all the way there. If it missed it could potentially go in the water and for a three wood, long right or long left is not a good spot to be on that hole. 

“I decided to be brave on that one and hit as hard a five wood as I could hit and it came out, I could not have hit a better shot.”

Rory backed up in the second round signing for +2 over par 74 to be tied in 5th place at -6 under. He could not win the Race to Dubai title, but still wants to win this tournament;

“It’s a very fickle game, I’ve always said that one day it can seem very easy and someone up there says, no, not so fast, and brings you back down to earth.”

“That’s golf.” 

“I battled through it. I’m still in with a shout to have a go at winning this tournament, I just need to stick the head down over the weekend and get in there and try to shoot a couple of good scores.”

 

DP World Tour Championship. Mike Lorenzo-Vera Leads.

Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France leads the DP World Tour Championship on day one at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

Mike & caddy / getty

Mike shot the lowest ever tournament first round of -9 under par 63 to lead the DP World Tour Championship by one shot from Rory McIlroy in the final tournament in the Race to Dubai.

Mike was not feeling too well, but a hot putter helped;

“Honestly I’m not feeling well at all, I have no energy. I had a big lung infection in South Africa and a big treatment and really feel bad on top of that.”

“I felt that if I really relaxed a lot, just swing it like 70 per cent or maybe less, the ball was still flying pretty well. Try to be pretty clever and not too aggressive and then the putter got hot. So that worked.”

Rory, Northern Ireland, is feeling great after his first round of -8 under 64;

“I started great obviously but then the finish was lovely.”

“Finished with four threes in a row which always does the job around here. The two shots into the last were right up there with the two best shots I’ve hit this year, I would say.”

“I’m feeling comfortable with my game, I have done for the last while. I felt like today was just more of the same of how I’ve been feeling.”

Jon Rahm, Spain, another contender for the Race to Dubai title is in third place at -6 under with a round of 66, he also putted very well;

“I’ll just try to look at what I have coming up the next three days, that’s about it. Get some good rest today and hopefully I can keep it going tomorrow.”

“It was a round where there wasn’t much stress going on. I hit it really good throughout the round, putted great, felt really comfortable with every part of my game.”

Danny Willett Wins The DP World Tour Championship.

Danny Willett, England, wins the  DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, while Francesco Molinari of Italy won The Race to Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates.                        Danny and his Trophy / getty

Danny carded a final round -4 under par 68 to win the  DP World Tour Championship with a -18 under par tournament total;

“It’s been a lot of hard work, it’s been tough.”

“I’m just massively proud of myself and everyone that’s been around me.”

“You never quite know when a win is around the corner and with all the things that have happened, I was never quite sure if it was going to happen again.”

“To happen here at the end of year, we’ve battled long and hard through this season to come out at the end, regardless of what happened today, a better person and a better athlete. It’s a special place.”

“It’s been a hell of a lot of work and it’s just nice to be back.”

Second place, at -16 under, was shared between Matt Wallace, England, -4 under 68 today, and Patrick Reed of the USA who signed for a final round -2 under 70.

Francesco Molinari was crowned champion of the year-long The Race to Dubai, becoming the first Italian to hold the title.                                     A Proud Francesco / getty

“It’s incredible, now I’m going to have time to sit down and relax and really think back about the last few months.”

“This morning on the first tee the announcement is the winner of The Open Championship, Race to Dubai leader, it doesn’t sound real at the moment.”

“It’s more than I ever dreamed of achieving.”

“I’ve seen guys that I think are better players than me not winning Majors and not winning Order of Merits or Race to Dubais.”

“To achieve those things in one single season is just incredible.”

DP World Tour Championship. Two Tied at the Top.

Danny Willett, England and Patrick Reed of the USA share the 54 hole lead at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Danny / getty

Danny, -4 under par 68 for his third round and Patrick -5 under 67, share the top spot at the DP World Tour Championship after 54 holes, and will have a one stroke advantage for the final round tomorrow.

Patrick is feeling good;

“I feel good, I feel like the consistency of my game is where it needs to be.”

“To have a chance to go out and finish the year off right and win a golf tournament, give myself a little early Christmas gift, a trophy, would be amazing.”

Danny is excited that the bad days are behind him;

 “I don’t think tomorrow could be a bad day regardless or it could compare to some of the bad days I’ve had.”

“There’s not many negatives. You pitch up tomorrow, if you don’t play well, you don’t play well.”

 “I’m in a nice place. “There’s a lot of golf left, a lot can happen in eighteen holes.”

Jordan Smith, England, is in third place at -13 under par, a third round -3 under 69 keeping him in touch of the leaders.

In the Race to Dubai, Francesco Molinari has taken back control, -2 under 70 today, and now looks almost certain to become the first Italian to win the title after his big rival Tommy Fleetwood slumped in the third round with a +2 over par 74 and is now eight shots off the lead, in a tournament he has to win to retain his Race to Dubai title.

DP World Tour Championship. Matt Wallace Has Half-Way Lead.

Matt Wallace of England has the half-way lead at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, at Jumeirah Golf Estates.Matt / getty

Matt has a one shot lead after 36 holes of the DP World Tour Championship scoring a bogey free second round -7 under par 65 to post a -11 under tournament total;

“That’s up there with one of the best this year.”

“I’m playing with freedom now and trying to place as high as I possibly can come the back nine holes on Sunday and then that’s when I normally will try and kick in and want to win a tournament, depending on where I am.”

“I’ve been in this situation before, just not in this sort of tournament.”

“The best players are out there in the world and I just want to compete and see where my game is at against them.”

Tied in second place at -10 under are Jordan Smith, England, -4 under par 68 today, Adrian Otaegui, Spain, -4 under, and Danny Willett, England with his second consecutive round of -5 under 67.

Danny is feeling good.

“It’s nice, I’ve said it all year, really, since everything has been good.”

Jordan is enjoying life at the top;

“It’s a new situation for me in this tournament.”

“I’ll go and enjoy it like I have the last couple of days and see what happens.”

Adrian is playing well and is in position to challenge;

“I played really good golf and gave myself more birdie chances.”

“Conditions were quite tough at the end with the wind picking up, so four under is a good round for the second round.”

The two top contenders for the Race to Dubai title, Francesco Molinari, Italy, and Tommy Fleetwood, England, have their own battle to sort out, and at the moment defending champion Tommy has the edge, currently T6 at -8 under par after his -5 under 67 today. Francesco carded a +1 over 73 today to slip back into a tie for 27th place at -3 under for the tournament.

Tommy is pretty clear on what he has to do;

“There’s so many different things going on but the situation is pretty black and white, just keep going and just put everything into it for another two days.”