Tuesday 24 November 2015 12:21, UK
Rory McIlroy and Lydia Ko both added to their collection of records, while big decisions were made off the course as we reflect on the five big talking points from the weekend.
McIlroy's putter warms up
The ankle injury that disrupted Rory McIlroy's season has been well documented, and the story of his year on the course has been his lack of confidence with the putter that arguably cost him at least another three wins.
But his sharpness and ability to hole the big putts under pressure in Dubai could not be questioned as he held off the valiant challenge of Andy Sullivan to win the DP World Tour Championship and finish the season as European No 1 for the third time in four years.
Sullivan was finding the middle of the cup with remarkable regularity early in the final round, but McIlroy continued to convert the sort of chances that he had been unable to on many occasions over the course of the season.
After matching Sullivan's birdies at the fifth and sixth, McIlroy forged ahead with excellent pressure putts for unanswered birdies at 12, 14 and 15, although he opened the door for Sullivan when he found water off the tee at 17.
But he slammed it shut when he dropped a superb 35-foot putt for one of the most crucial bogeys of his career, and a comfortable two-putt for par at the last got the job done.
McIlroy's long game has never been in question, and if he can continue to back that up with an assured touch on the greens, he will reclaim the world No 1 ranking sooner rather than later in 2016.
More history for Ko
After Jordan Spieth taking top honours on the PGA Tour and Rory McIlroy retaining his Race to Dubai title, Lydia Ko edged out Inbee Park by the narrowest of margins to win the LPGA Player of the Year crown.
The 18-year-old sensation clinched the Race to CME Globe and a $1m bonus by just two points over the South Korean after an enthralling final day in Florida.
Ko stuttered in the final round in Naples and bogeyed the 18th, and the destiny of the overall season title would have been decided by a play-off had Park managed to birdie one of the last two holes.
But Park could not better par at 17 and 18 and, although she finished one place ahead of Ko in the tournament, it was not enough to deny the New Zealander another piece of history.
Consolation for Park was the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average over the season, while she has now guaranteed her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Both had incredible seasons and picked up five wins apiece, and few will doubt that their rivalry will continue for many years to come.
Casey puts family before Ryder Cup
Paul Casey has represented Europe three times in the Ryder Cup, winning twice and becoming one of only six players to have had a hole-in-one in the competition.
He has not taken on the United States since the defeat at Valhalla in 2008, but hopes were high for his return at Hazeltine next September after an excellent season on the PGA Tour. The Englishman enjoyed eight top-10 finishes and missed the cut only four times in 24 starts, a run of form that lifted him back into the world's top 25 players.
But he announced on Saturday that he would not be rejoining the European Tour and would again focus on his career across the Atlantic - a decision which means he cannot be considered by Darren Clarke.
Casey explained that he was putting his young family first, but the impact on rejoining the European Tour would have been less of a strain after Keith Pelley reduced the membership requirements to just five events outside the majors and World Golf Championships.
Pelley and Clarke both insisted they respected Casey's decision, although they did express their disappointment that he will not be taking advantage of the new membership regulations in 2016.
There will doubtless be calls for Casey to feature in the Ryder Cup if he lands an elusive major and continues his climb up the world rankings, but if the qualifying criteria were changed to accommodate him, it would probably lead to a raft of top players leaving the European Tour to play their trade in the United States. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Pelley impressive
Taking of Keith Pelley, he has been far busier than he expected since taking over from George O'Grady as chief executive of the European Tour.
His first big decision was to allow Rory McIlroy a special exemption to compete in the Race to Dubai Final Series despite him not being able to play the minimum number of required events for the season.
It was the only decision to take, bearing in mind McIlroy is the biggest drawcard in the game, and he would have fulfilled his requirements had he not been sidelined by the ankle injury he suffered in a freak accident playing football shortly before the Scottish Open in July.
Pelley also announced last week that the Final Series would be reduced to three events, while players will now have to play five tournaments outside of the majors and WGCs to retain their European Tour membership.
The Canadian businessman has proved to be a shrewd appointment, and has impressed everyone - including McIlroy - with his knowledge and enthusiasm for golf as well as having the ability to face up to the bigger issues facing the Tour.
O'Grady provided crucial stability for the European Tour, and Pelley is taking it to the next level with his vision that the Tour can be a "viable alternative" to the PGA Tour.
Farewell Ivor
The first tee will never sound the same again. In July, Ivor Robson bid an emotional farewell to The Open at St Andrews, and his 41-year career as the European Tour's official starter ended at the DP World Tour Championship.
The popular Scot's unmistakable voice has graced European golf since the mid 70s, when Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were in their prime and a couple of up-and-coming youngsters named Ballesteros and Watson were beginning to attract interest.
Respected across the globe by players and fans alike, Robson could be excused a tear in the eye when flicking on the microphone for the last time in Dubai and announcing: "On the tee, from England, Andy Sullivan."
Every one of the 60 players in the field gave Ivor the warmest of greetings on his final day in the office, and Keith Pelley could not help but notice the admiration from the field.
"I have been here for the last five hours and seen the admiration of every single player - every single player has saluted Ivor," said Pelley.
Happy retirement Ivor Robson.
