McIlroy claims season-long title on European tour for record-tying 8th time as Hatton wins in Dubai

Dubai, UAE - Rory McIlroy clinched his record-tying eighth season-long title on the European tour by finishing second in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on November 15, 2026. This victory earned him the Race to Dubai trophy, placing him alongside Colin Montgomerie at the top of the all-time winners list for the former "Order of Merit" award.

The main competition for the year-long points title was between McIlroy and young Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra, who entered the tournament atop the standings. In a thrilling final round, Chacarra and McIlroy regularly switched places in the top two spots of the projected standings. Ultimately, McIlroy's bogey-free 67 secured his second-place finish, while Chacarra tied for third, falling short by around 125 points.

McIlroy was congratulated by Chacarra upon leaving the scorer's hut, who acknowledged the Northern Irishman's deserved win. McIlroy dedicated the title to his recently hospitalized father, Gerry, during a tearful TV interview, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to win the championship. Chacarra, despite not winning, praised his performance and the challenge posed by McIlroy, who has now won the season-long title for the last five years, as well as in 2012, '14 and '15.