The most spectacular year of Tommy Fleetwood’s life has been afforded an appropriate ending. For Fleetwood, the Harry Vardon trophy in recognition of winning the Race to Dubai, the European Tour’s order of merit.

On a day of multiple reward in Dubai, Jon Rahm, another who has revelled in a wonderful 2017, secured the DP World Tour Championship. The element of surprise, which impacted on both winners, was the late collapse from a hitherto nerveless Justin Rose. The Englishman’s back nine of 38 on Sunday meant a share of third place and the handing of the Race to Dubai to Fleetwood by 58,821 points.

In proving just how fine the margins were, had Rose been just a single stroke better off, his tie for second would have been sufficient to deny Fleetwood the greatest achievement of his career. Rose inevitably will look back towards a missed par putt from close range at the 16th on Sunday and before that a slack drive at the 12th.

Fleetwood therefore collects a Race to Dubai bonus of £944,000. His share of 21st here after a fourth round of 74 was barely relevant. Rose’s wobble conceded the main prize. And yet, displaying off-course class, Rose was amongst the first to embrace Fleetwood as he stepped from the 18th green.

“It’s tough to come up just one shot short,” Rose said. “But congratulations to Tommy. He’s been leading for most of the year and he’s battled really hard these past few weeks. He deserved to finish it off.”

This success comes only 18 months after the Southport golfer was at such a low ebb with his game he did not want to compete. Here, Fleetwood celebrated with his fiancée and two-month-old son.

“Wentworth 2016 has always been the benchmark,” Fleetwood explained. “I turned up on the Thursday morning and I genuinely wanted to pull out because I didn’t think I could get it off the 1st tee. I was embarrassed how I was hitting it. I was scared of what I was going to do.

“My ultimate goal in life is to be the best player in the world. That will always be the same. Whether I achieve it or not is another thing but I’ll always strive for that.”

Rahm, who will also be a valuable addition to the European Ryder Cup team in France next year, was the tour’s rookie of the year even before this victory. He was not of a mind to understate a third professional win, all achieved within 11 months.

“When you accomplish something in life, it’s always a great feeling,” the 23‑year‑old Spaniard said. “When you do something that you had in mind but wasn’t a goal for the end of the year, you accomplished something that was years down the road, is just such an incredible feeling.

“It’s like when you have an errands list and you finish two hours early, it’s a very similar feeling. It’s very, very special.

“I don’t know if it shows anybody else or not, but it does prove to myself that I belong to be here. I belong on the European Tour and I belong on the PGA Tour.”

The Spaniard signed off with a 67 to win by one shot, at 19 under par. Shane Lowry and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand shared second, with the former perhaps the more worthy of praise having produced an outstanding 63 on Sunday.

Sergio García, Dean Burmester and Dylan Frittelli ended up alongside Rose at 17 under. The day was to belong to Fleetwood and Rahm; a dynamic duo who continue to prove European golf is in safe hands.