DP World Tour Championship Final Day 6-Under Par '3-Stroke Victory', Defending Champ Fitzpatrick Tied 2nd, McIlroy Tied 6th
Collin Morikawa is smiling brightly while holding the trophy right after winning the DP World Tour Championship, the final event of the European Tour. Dubai (United Arab Emirates) = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] World No. 2 Collin Morikawa (USA) has conquered the European stage.
On the night of the 21st (Korean time) at Jumeirah Golf Estates (par 72, 7,675 yards) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morikawa shot 6-under par on the final day of the DP World Tour Championship, the final event of the 2021 European Tour season (total prize money $9 million), securing a 3-stroke victory (17-under par 271). This marks his third European Tour win this year and his fourth overall, following the World Golf Championships (WGC) Workday Championship in February and the major The Open in July. His winner's prize was $3 million (35.7 billion KRW).
Starting from a tie for 5th place, 3 strokes behind, Morikawa played flawlessly with six birdies and no bogeys. He got off to a start with a birdie on the 7th hole (par 5), followed by birdies on the 12th hole (par 4) and consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes to reach a tie for the lead. He then showed strong finishing power with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. His 'needle-like iron shots' with a green hit rate of 83.3% and 'stingy putting' averaging 1.70 putts per hole were the driving forces behind his victory.
He finished the season as No. 1 in the 'Race to Dubai,' which ranks players by points accumulated throughout the year. Morikawa is the first American to claim the top spot. Before the tournament began, he was also named a lifetime honorary member of the European Tour, adding to the celebrations. Morikawa, who said, "I feel so good," added, "I made good putts and chip shots over the four days and made crucial par saves. I will strive to become a more complete player."
Defending champion Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) shot 6-under par to rise to a tie for 2nd place (14-under par 274). Alexander Bjork (Sweden) is also in this group. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), who started the day 1 stroke ahead, struggled with a 2-over par round and slipped to a tie for 6th place (12-under par 276). The European Tour will immediately begin the 2022 season with the Joburg Open starting on the 25th in Johannesburg, South Africa.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
