Double success for Europe at the DP World Tour Championship
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the DP World Tour Championship trophy during Day Four of the DP World Tour Championship on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Paddy Morgan looks back at the 2022 DP World Tour Championship which was a double success for both Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. Both Europeans will be a huge part of Luke Donald’s team in Rome at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Jon Rahm
The Spaniard took a long break away from golf after winning the Spanish Open and finishing tied for fourth at the CJ Cup in early October. A break has worked for Rahm before as he took seven weeks off and came back to win the 2019 DP World Tour Championship. The Earth Course changed for the 2022 edition of DP World Tour Championship with a big aspect on hitting fairways due to Bermuda-style rough. The 2021 U.S. Open champion got off to a sluggish start on day one of the 2022 DP World Tour Championship with a round of 70. Rahm wasn’t the only European looking to finish the season in style as Rory McIlroy was looking to win both the FedEx Cup and DP World Tour rankings in the same year.
Rory McIlroy
It was a frustrating opening round in Dubai for the Northern Irish man with shooting a round of 71 which included five birdies and four bogeys. The 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick was third in the rankings going into the DP World Tour Championship and he had a chance to have the last laugh in Dubai. Fitzpatrick was number one in the rankings after round one after shooting a fantastic round of 65. All to play for with three rounds of the 2022 season to go.
Round two
McIlroy was not at his best on day two but played the last three holes in four under which included an eagle on the par five 18th. Fitzpatrick was still in control of his own destiny as he shot a second round of 67 to be tied for the lead on 12 under with fellow Englishman Tyrell Hatton going into the weekend. Rahm brought himself back into contention after two rounds by shooting an impressive round of 66 to leave himself six behind. It was a three-horse race for the DP World Tour rankings going into the weekend with Fitzpatrick tied for the lead, McIlroy will not give up without a fight and don’t rule out Englishman Tommy Fleetwood as he loves coming from behind.
Round three
This was a big day for McIlroy as he hit 12 out of 14 fairways. Big accurate drives proved to be the difference for McIlroy on day three as he shot a round of 65 which included an eagle and seven birdies. McIlroy was back to number one on the rankings with one round to go as Fitzpatrick battled for a two-under round of 70. The four-time major champion wasn’t the only player to shoot 65 on day three as Rahm took a one-shot lead into the final round on 15 under. The battle of U.S. Open champions with one round to go between Rahm and Fitzpatrick but McIlroy is quietly confident about winning two prizes, being just three shots behind.
Final round
McIlroy played the back nine in 33 to finish on 16 under. The consistency of McIlroy has continued to the end of the season as he finished fourth at the 2022 DP World Tour Championship. A fourth-place finish was good enough for McIlroy to be crowned DP World Tour rankings winner as Fitzpatrick shot a disappointing final round of 73. My opinion is 2022 was McIlroy’s best season for a few years with winning both FedEx Cup, DP World Tour rankings and returning to number one in the world. McIlroy will be looking for consistency to continue into 2023 as he will be anxious to end his eight-year wait for a major win.
The event
Rahm shot a remarkable round of 67 to win the 2022 DP World Tour Championship. Even though he didn’t win a major in 2022, it was a significant year for Rahm as he won three times. To win the DP World Tour Championship three times is incredible for Rahm in 2022. His iron game and improved putting was the difference for Rahm in the final event of 2022. It was great to see return of form for Tyrell Hatton and Alex Noren as they both finished tied second at the 2022 DP World Tour Championship. Fleetwood was quiet over the weekend but still finished inside the top five on 13 under.
Conclusion
A great finale for 2022 on the DP World Tour and it would be fantastic if both McIlroy and Rahm can continue their impressive form in 2023.
I have recently graduated from Journalism HND at Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education. I'm currently Captain of Irish Blind Golf and presenter of Paddy Tees It Up