The DP World Tour’s 2022 season drew to a close in dramatic fashion as Jon Rahm, the third round leader of the season-ending Tour Championship, held off Ryder Cup team-mates Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren and Rory McIlroy to win by two shots.

The Spaniard went into the final round with a narrow one-stroke lead, but reeled off three opening birdies to stretch that advantage before bouncing back from a bogey on the fourth with three more gains to sign for a closing 67 and finish the tournament on 20 under par.

Rahm’s victory continues his love affair with Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course, where he now has three wins and another top-five finish in four visits. He also adds a fifth Rolex Series title to his collection, becoming the first person to achieve the feat.

McIlroy won the other prize on offer this week, topping the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex to win the Harry Vardon Trophy for the fourth time. The Northern Irishman capped a hugely successful year by becoming the European Number One, World Number One and FedExCup Champion at the same time for the first time in his career.

Rahm never relinquished the lead on day four, but did not look totally comfortable at times, as a series of missed fairways gave hope to his challengers who were queuing up behind him. He took a two-shot lead to the last but an errant tee-shot landed him in tree trouble and he only just cleared the penalty area with his second shot. But his gamble paid off as he two-putted for par on the 18th green to storm to victory.

Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Noren finished in a tie for second on 18 under, with McIlroy two shots further back in fourth. Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick were in a share of fifth place on 13 under, with the latter shooting a disappointing closing 73 to end his chances of finishing no.1 in Europe.

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Jon Rahm will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai as he seeks to win the DP World Tour’s season-ending event for a third time.

The Spaniard started the third round four strokes off the pace, but carded a bogey-free, seven-under 65 to move to the top of the leaderboard, one stroke ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick,  two ahead of two-time Alex Noren, and three ahead of world no.1 Rory McIlroy, who is projected to finish the season at the top of the DP World Tour rankings as he moved to a share of fourth place alongside Tyrrell Hatton on 12 under par. Hatton, who lead the field by two midway through the third round, dropped back after chalking up four bogeys on the back nine on Saturday to post a level-par 72.

Fitzpatrick could still end the year as European no.1 but would need to win the tournament tomorrow and for McIlroy to finish worse than second. A runner-up finish could also see the reigning US Open champion lift the Harry Vardon Trophy on Sunday night, but he would need McIlroy to finish worse than seventh.

Speaking after his excellent third round, Rahm said: “I don’t think I could have shot any lower today. I really got the most out the round. I wasn’t at my best off the tee, but I was still able to get some birdies out of some not so good situations. I didn’t hit any of the fairways on the par fives and still played them three under par, so I’ve got to be happy with that. I’m hoping I can be a little better off the tee tomorrow, and maintain my good play in the other parts of my game and have a smooth round like I did yesterday.”

McIlroy, who also fired a 65, said: I didn’t get off to a great start with a bogey at the first, but I hit two quality shots into two and was able to make eagle and bounced back from that.Overall, I just hit it in the fairway a bit more today, which made a big difference. I was able to get control of my approach shots and hit them close and make some easy birdies. So yeah, obviously I just need to do more of the same tomorrow and see where it takes me.

He added: “I’ve never won the FedExCup and and the European rankings in the same year, so it would be really nice to get that done. It’s been a wonderful year. I’ve played some really consistent golf. If I’m able to go out there tomorrow and shoot a good score and get the job done, it would be a really nice way to end what’s been a great year.”

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Rory McIlroy regained the world No.1 spot for the first time since 2020 after the 33-year-old successfully defended the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup in South Carolina.

Leading by one at the start of the final round at Congaree Golf Club, McIlroy carded a brilliant four-under 67, with four birdies in a five-hole stretch on his back nine helping him pull clear of the chasing pack.

Playing the 17th hole with a three-shot lead, McIlroy had the luxury of being able him to drop shots at both the final two holes and still finish one clear of playing partner Kurt Kitayama, with KH Lee claiming third spot ahead of Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood, with the latter closing with a 65.

McIlroy’s third win of the year, and 23rd PGA Tour title of his career, sees him become the first FedEx Cup champion to begin his PGA Tour season with a victory since Tiger Woods in 2008, with his latest success taking him above Scottie Scheffler at the top of the world rankings.

Speaking straight after the final round, a visibly emotional McIlroy said: “It feels great to go out there with a lead, shoot a great score, play really well, and get the win. It’s an awesome way to start the season. I feel like it has been a continuation of how I feel like I’ve been playing over the last few months.

“I’ve worked so hard over the last 12 months to get myself back to this place. I feel like I’m enjoying the game as much as I ever have. I absolutely love the game of golf and I think that when I go out there and I play with that joy, it’s definitely showed over these last 12 months.”

McIlroy’s next scheduled appearance is at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, from November 17-20, where he will have a chance to win his fourth Race to Dubai title.

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