Danny Willett turned in 33 to open up a two-shot lead as Francesco Molinari was crowned Europe's Number One on the final day of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
Englishman Willett entered the final round at Jumeirah Golf Estates in a share of the lead but an eagle and a birdie on the front nine moved him to 17 under, two shots ahead of Spaniard Adrian Otaegui.
South African Dean Burmester and England's Matt Wallace were then at 14 under, a shot clear of defending champion Jon Rahm, English pair Jordan Smith and Lee Westwood, and South African Dylan Frittelli.
Open Champion Molinari entered the week knowing only a win by Tommy Fleetwood could stop him winning the Race to Dubai and a closing 68 from the Englishman meant he would not be defending his title.
Willett is looking for his first win since claiming the Green Jacket in 2016, and a victory in a Rolex Series event would well and truly announce his return to form.
Burmester bogeyed the first but bounced back with a birdie on the second, with Wallace and Otaegui also taking advantage of the par five.
The 583-yard hole was proving gettable and Willett took it on in brilliant style, getting on the green in two and holing a stunning 47-foot double-breaker for an eagle to open up a three-shot advantage.
Otaegui birdied the third and when he put an approach to four feet on the fifth, he was within two of the lead.
Wallace three-putted the third but hit an excellent approach of his own into the fifth, with playing partner Burmester getting back into red numbers for the day ahead on the sixth.
Burmester holed a 15-footer on the eighth to join Otaegui at 14 under as Wallace chipped in for par, but Otaegui reduced the lead to one shot from eight feet ahead on the ninth.
Willett then took advantage of the par-five seventh to edge two ahead again before Wallace joined Burmester with a tap-in on the ninth.
Frittelli was six under for the day but had just two holes remaining, while Rahm was three under after 14 holes.
Smith turned in level par and Westwood was one under for his first nine holes.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Tom Lewis, Alex Noren and Patrick Reed were 12 under.
