Big pay-day as Lowry moves up the rankings

Shane Lowry joined Paul Dunne in the automatic Ryder Cup places and regained his place as Ireland’s No 1 after a nine-under 63 gave him a share of second in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

As Tommy Fleetwood held off a spluttering Justin Rose to become European No 1 in Dubai, Lowry closed with his lowest European Tour round for six years to claim €612,355, a move to 58th in the world, a place in The Open and a top-eight spot in the early Ryder Cup standings.

Spain’s Jon Rahm completed a dream season by taking advantage of a back-nine wobble from Rose as well as late bogeys by fourth-placed Dean Burmester, Dylan Frittelli and Sergio Garcia to add the final Rolex Series event to his European Tour Rookie of the Year success.