- Rory McIlroy won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday
- That victory helped him secure the sixth Race to Dubai title of his career
- Northern Irishman McIlroy celebrated his win by kissing wife Erica Stoll
Rory McIlroy claimed the sixth Race to Dubai title of his career after Thriston Lawrence finished in midfield at the DP World Tour Championship.
The Northern Irishman only needed a top-11 finish at Jumeirah Golf Estates to reach the summit of the season rankings, with South African Lawrence the only player able to deny him with a win in Dubai.
However, Lawrence’s challenge never materialised and when he came home in one under par for the event, McIlroy secured his third successive Race to Dubai crown with five holes left in his final round.
The world number three joins Spanish great Seve Ballesteros in second place in the all-time list with six order of merit triumphs, with only Colin Montgomerie ahead of the pair with eight victories.
McIlroy had spoken about wanting to be stood on the final green on Sunday with both trophies, and he was in a two-way battle for the title with Rasmus Hojgaard at 13 under with five holes remaining.
It could be a sense of deja vu for the 35-year-old if he does not clinch his fourth worldwide success of the campaign as Hojgaard’s identical twin brother Nicolai won the season-ending event 12 months ago.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday
McIlroy finished the week 15 under par and beat Rasmus Hojgaard (right) by two strokes
McIlroy was visibly emotional as he spoke to Sky Sports after securing his title.
‘It means a lot…’ said McIlroy, before having to stop to gather himself. ‘I’ve been through a lot this year. Professionally, personally. It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered a lot this year. Had close calls, wasn’t able to get it done. So to be able to get it over the line…
‘I got off to a great start and then I didn’t have my best round in the middle of my round. I thought Rasmus and I struggled to get any momentum. But I thought saving par on the 15th was huge. And then I made four great swings coming in. The wedge on 16 the shot at 17 and then the two shots in at the last.
‘So I’m really pleased with the way I finished and thankfully I held on on a tough day and got the job done.’
McIlroy was cheers on in Dubai my his wife Erica and their daughter Poppy. McIlroy and Erica filed for divorce in May, before making a U-turn and withdrawing the filing a month later.
They have been married since 2017 and McIlroy said back in June that he had needed to take a bit of time away from golf ‘to realise what was actually important to me.’
Speaking on Sunday, he said: ‘I have my family here this week, Erica, Poppy, I know you’re here somewhere. I love you and thanks for sticking by me and thank you for your support. I can’t wait to go to Ireland and celebrate this properly.’
McIlroy later celebrated his victory by kissing his wife in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Sunday’s victory saw 35-year-old McIlroy clinch the sixth Race to Dubai title of his career
McIlroy celebrated by kissing wife Erica Stoll, five months on from their divorce U-turn
When asked on Sunday about equalling the record of Ballesteros by winning a sixth Race to Dubai title, McIlroy again looked like he was about to well up.
But he eventually replied: ‘It’s really cool. I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf, to Ryder Cup players…’
After another pause, McIlroy, continued: ‘In the European Ryder Cup locker room all we have are quotes of Seve.
‘We had a changing room with Seve’s shirt from 1995 – the last Ryder Cup he played. He means so much to me and European golf and to be mentioned in the same breath I’m very proud.’
McIlroy now needs to win two more Race to Dubai titles to equal the record of Colin Montgomerie
‘I’m up for it’ he declared. ‘I’ve just won my third in a row. I’ve really made it a priority of my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance to win the Race to Dubai over the past few years.
‘I don’t see that being different for the foreseeable future. So I’m going to go for my seventh next year and try to chase Monty down.’
McIlroy concluded by saying: ‘It’s been a long year. My 27th tournament, which is a lot for me. I’m looking forward to a little bit of down time. I’ve got my friends and family here in Dubai so I’m sure we’ll have a good night tonight.’
