Rory McIlroy was close to tears after revealing a discussion he had with Seve Ballesteros’ widow.McIlroy agonisingly lost out to Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off at the DP World Tour Championship but confirmed top spot in the Race to Dubai standings for the seventh time.Rory McIlroy spoke to Seve Ballesteros’ widow before taking to the course on SundayGettyThat saw the Northern Irishman surpass Ballesteros’ six Order of Merit titles while now sitting just one place behind Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight.McIlroy, who is staking a strong claim to be recognised as Europe’s greatest ever golfer, revealed that he fittingly spoke to the Spaniard’s wife Carmen prior to eclipsing his record on Sunday.What did McIlroy and Carmen speak about?He told Sky Sports: “It’s amazing. I had a conversation with his wife Carmen, before I went out to play today. She told me how proud he would have been.“I said this on this green last year. He means so much to this tour and the European Ryder Cup team. We rally so much around his spirit and his quotes and everything he meant to European golf.View Tweet: https://t.co/1NA8GAtrTX“To equal him last year was cool, but to surpass him this year, I did not get this far in my dreams so it’s very cool.“With Ballesteros’ record of six crowns in rear view, few would bet against McIlroy going on to surpass Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai titles.Gunning for Monty’s recordAnd when asked about it, the 36-year-old admitted Monty’s record is very much on his radar.“I want it, of course I do, when you get that close. I caught up with Monty this week when I saw him,” McIlroy said.“It seems within touching distance now. I was the first European to win the Grand Slam and I would love to be the winningest European in terms of Order of Merits and season long races.“Hopefully I have a good few years left in me and hopefully I can catch him and surpass him.“McIlroy surpassed the great Seve Ballesteros’ Order of Merit titles on SundayGettyGettyThe Northern Irishman picked up yet another Race to Dubai title – his seventh overall[/caption]McIlroy now has Montgomerie’s record in sightIt could have been a double celebration for McIlroy had he not fallen short at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday.A thrilling final round at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course saw McIlroy post 18-under in his quest to land the final trophy of the season.The reigning Masters champion superbly putted from 15 yards to force a play-off against Ryder Cup teammate Matt Fitzpatrick.However, the Englishman took advantage of an error-laden play-off from McIlroy whose putt fell inches short, to win his third DP World Title.That saw Fitzpatrick scoop 2,000 Race to Dubai points while banking £2.25million in prize money helped by his bogey-free 66 on Sunday.The win capped off a wonderful end to the year for Fitzpatrick who has been flawless since the PGA Championship in May which saw him qualify for Team Europe’s Ryder Cup team.GettyMatt Fitzpatrick was a worthy winner of the DP World Tour Championship[/caption]Rory McIlroy won his seventh Race to Dubai title“Yeah, it means the world,” Fitzpatrick said. “Struggled at the start of this year, obviously, and to turn it around in the summer like I did and have a Ryder Cup like I did, Ryder Cup in particular, feel like it’s hard to top given everything.“But the way that I played today, you know, I feel like I really didn’t hit one bad shot all day. I’m so proud of myself, the effort that everyone puts in behind the scenes. Yeah, what a feeling. What a feeling.”