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Rory McIlroy won the sixth Race to Dubai title of his career after Thriston Lawrence finished in midfield at the DP World Tour Championship.

The Northern Irishman only needed a top 11 finish at Jumeirah Golf Estates to reach the top of the season standings, with South African Lawrence the only player capable of denying him a victory in Dubai.

However, Lawrence’s challenge never materialized and when he returned to one under par for the event, McIlroy claimed his third consecutive Race to Dubai crown with five holes remaining in his final round.

The world number three joins Spanish great Seve Ballesteros in second place on the all-time list with six triumphs on merit, with only Colin Montgomerie ahead of the duo with eight victories.

McIlroy had talked about wanting to stand on the final green on Sunday with both trophies, and he was in a two-way battle for the title with Rasmus Hojgaard at 13 under with five holes to play.

It could be a feeling of déjà vu for the 35-year-old if he fails to claim his fourth world success of the campaign as Hojgaard’s identical twin brother Nicolai won the season-ending event ago 12 months.