Sunday 20 November 2016 17:55, UK
Matt Fitzpatrick believes snatching a dramatic victory at the DP World Tour Championship capped another memorable year for him on the European Tour.
Two years to the day after gaining his European Tour card, Fitzpatrick capitalised on a final-hole bogey from Tyrrell Hatton to birdie the same hole and claim a one-shot victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Fitzpatrick closed the week on 17-under, with victory lifting him into the top 10 on the Race to Dubai and earning him a share of the $5million bonus pool.
The Ryder Cup player has eclipsed Sir Nick Faldo's record as the youngest Englishman to win three times on the European tour, with Fitzpatrick now looking to continue his rapid progress in 2017.
"To win one of these Final Series events is really special," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports. "Words can't describe it. It's not going to sink in for a while.
"It's been a special year and then to end it like this with a win is amazing. It means the world.
"It's two years to the day I got my card at the qualifying school. When you think about it, it's crazy. It's all happened so fast. Now I feel this win gives me the confidence to push further and further and see what we can do next season."
Hatton ended the season above Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings as a result of his runner-up finish, with the Englishman admitting losing out in such a manner was a "bitter pill to swallow".
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner held the lead for much of the back nine until his final-hole error, but was keen to take the positives from another impressive display
"For me it's been the best year of my life so I can't get too downbeat," Hatton said. "I'm sure hopefully in the future I'll take my next chance.
"If you told me at the start of the year I would finish fourth in the Race to Dubai I would have been surprised. It's been such a great year and I'm very happy with that."
