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.