The 2015 DP World Tour Championship saw record crowds of 65,280 gather at Jumeirah Golf Estates as Rory McIlroy did the Dubai Double of winning both the tournament and The Race to Dubai for the second time in his career.

The European Tour’s season-ending finale has developed a reputation as not only one of the best-loved sporting occasions on the Dubai calendar, but also an eagerly anticipated social occasion for all the family.

As well as having The European Tour’s top 60 players competing for a US$8 million prize fund and the chance to be named European Number One, the award-winning DP World Tour Championship featured a host of off course activities for visitors of all ages.

Renowned Trick Shot Artist, David Edwards, entertained the crowds on the practice range each day while the bustling Championship Village featured a six-hole Putting Zone with prizes on offer; there were free golf lessons provided by the R&A, with instruction from the Emirates Golf Federation pros; there was the Titleist Long Drive Challenge; the Emirates Fly With Me Kids Zone; a Giant TV Screen and a mouth-watering array of F&B outlets. When play was finished each day Jumeirah Golf Estates rocked to the sounds of some excellent local bands which further enhanced the reputation of the event as more than just a golf tournament.

A whopping 20,769 spectators turned out on Friday, always the busiest day of the tournament, while almost as many, 19,058, attended on Saturday.

Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour International – Dubai Office, said: It’s great to be able to announce record attendance figures for the 2015 DP World Tour Championship.

We always felt there was genuine interest from the local, regional and international markets from both advanced registrations from free admission as well as from corporate hospitality sales.

The enhanced and extended Championship Village along with the upgraded ‘Emirates Fly With Me Kids Zone’ certainly added to the public offering.

With a world class field of the top 60 players on The Race to Dubai plus activities for non-golfers and families we have certainly raised the bar for the 2015 DP World Tour Championship.

Our collective challenge with all our partners and supporters is to make it bigger and better for 2016.

Despite the wonderful range of facilities and activities on offer, it was the drama on the golf course that once again stole the show as McIlroy and Andy Sullivan went head to head in yesterday’s (Sunday’s) final round and 14,713 people witnessed the Northern Irishman again leave Jumeirah Golf Estates with two trophies safely under lock and key.