An emotional Rory McIlroy hailed surpassing Seve Ballesteros by winning a seventh Race to Dubai title as more than he ever dreamed of.

McIlroy was beaten in a play-off by Matt Fitzpatrick in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, having staged a dramatic late fightback with an eagle at the final hole.

While his Ryder Cup teammate celebrated a third win in the event, the Northern Irishman clinched the season-long crown to eclipse the late Ballesteros' tally of six and move one behind record-holder Colin Montgomerie.

McIlroy told Sky Sports: "It's amazing, I had a conversation with Carmen [Ballesteros' ex-wife] before I went out to play today and she told me how proud he would have been.

"He means so much to this Tour and the European Ryder Cup team. We rally so much arou

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