Golf

Rory McIlroy Clinches Double Win at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship

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Nov 21, 2024 / 6986 Views

Evan Walker

The Earth Course at Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates witnessed some History on Sunday, November 17 2024. Capping his season in spectacular fashion in the Middle East, Rory McIlroy made it a double joy by winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship 2024 and Race to Dubai (order of merit).

The Northern Irishman has now won three Race to Dubai titles in a row, with six overall (2012, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023, 2024), tying icon Seve Ballesteros’ record on the DP World Tour to work up an emotional high.

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Accompanying the two gorgeous silver trophies was a substantial cash bonus. The 35-year-old pocketed USD 3 million for winning the season finale, plus a USD 2 million bonus for securing the Race to Dubai title.

String of disappointments

It was a wrap to a rollercoaster year for McIlroy, who, despite winning two times on the PGA Tour and once on the DP World Tour leading to this week, had his fair share of disappointments.

The US Open in June was particularly notable as he missed two short putts over the final three holes at Pinehurst Resort, finishing one shot behind Bryson DeChambeau to extend his wait for a fifth Major win to a decade.

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The Amgen Irish Open fiasco in September at the Royal County Down Golf Club was another distressing episode. McIlroy was on the verge of winning on home turf before Rasmus Hojgaard shocked him with a late push to win.

Even more upsetting was the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club the ensuing week, where he lost to Billy Horschel in a three-man playoff and finished in a tie for second. The disappointment from coming close so many times might have felled a lesser man, but McIlroy weathered them and rose like a juggernaut to clinch the title at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship.

Road to glory

After making a fast start to the week, Mcllroy went into the final round tied for the lead with Hojgaard and Frenchman Antoine Rozner. A bogey on the opening hole and Rozner’s birdie was a dampener, but McIlroy did not dwell on it for long.

He responded spectacularly, making four straight birdies to take control with a three-shot lead. However, Hojgaard kept up the pressure, just as he had when he stunned McIlroy at the Irish Open.

Hojgaard took advantage of McIlroy’s blunders on the ninth and 13th holes, recovering to share the lead at 13-under. In a season full of close calls at major DP World Tour events, it briefly looked like McIlroy would have to settle for yet another runner-up result.

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In a turn of events, Hole 16 proved to be critical. As pressure mounted, McIlroy pulled off the shot of the week, a stunning 138-yard approach that landed just inches from the pin, which allowed him to tap in for birdie and reclaim the lead. Conversely, Hojgaard kept it tense with an outstanding par save on the 17th, but McIlroy sealed the deal with birdie on the 72nd hole.

It was his first DP World Tour Championship victory since 2015, as well as his third straight Harry Vardon Trophy, solidifying his reputation as one of the DP World Tour’s all-time greats.

Surge of emotions

“It means a lot,” an emotional McIlroy said moments after the triumph. “I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally and personally. It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered this year a lot, had close calls. Wasn’t able to get it done.”

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He continued, “So, to be able to get over the line; I got off to a great start and didn’t have my best in the middle of the round, and Rasmus and I both struggled to get momentum. I thought saving par on 15 was huge. I made four great swings coming in, the wedge on 16, the shot on 18, and two shots on the last. Really pleased with the way I finished, and thankfully I hung on in during a tough day and got it done.”

Enormity of moment

McIlroy recognised the significance of the moment and wore his heart on his sleeve as he reflected on the accomplishment.

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His sixth Race to Dubai triumph elevated him into Ballesteros’ league, and he swallowed hard and took a moment to process what had happened.

“Everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players,” said McIlroy.

“In the European locker room, all we have are quotes from Seve — we have a changing room with a Seve shirt from ’95, the last Ryder Cup he played. He means so much to European golf, and for me to be mentioned in the same breath as him… I’m very proud.”

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It is no small accomplishment to be at par with one of the sport’s towering personalities, and McIlroy has earned his spot in such a prestigious circle.

While success has made him one of golf’s greatest stars, McIlroy’s down-to-earth personality is what distinguishes him. Fans admire his incredible talent while identifying with his persona. The raw emotions he expresses, and his openness in both success and failure endear him to all.

Felicitous end to 2024

“I think I would have been miserable for a few weeks if I hadn’t won,” said McIlroy. “I felt a lot of pressure out there, most of it self-inflicted. But to finish the way I did, I can now go and have a good few weeks off,” he added.

McIlroy’s victory in Dubai marks his fourth of the season; the Wells Fargo Championship and Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA Tour, and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and DP World Tour Championship on the DP World Tour.

In sight of a landmark

The former World No 1 remains steadfast in his quest to break the record of World Golf Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie, who has two more order of merit triumphs.

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The eight season-long crowns won by Montgomerie were considered unbeatable for years, but the mark is now firmly within reach. After winning his third title in a row, McIlroy revealed that he is eager to go one step further and set a new record.

“I’m up for it,” he said. “I’ve just won my third in a row, and I’ve really made it a priority of my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance coming into the end of the year to win the Race to Dubai. I don’t see that being any different for the foreseeable future.” He added, “You know, going to go for my seventh next year and try to chase Monty (Montgomerie) down.”

It is worth noting that McIlroy has often said that money is not his sole objective. He has earned enough through the course of his career, and the greatest goal is to win Majors again, given how long it has been since he last won one.

Europe’s No. 1 player will be hoping for similar trophies next year. However, the question of whether he can end his Major curse is waiting to be answered.

Role model

Finishing T11, Tom McKibbin, a 21-year-old from Belfast, won his PGA Tour card this season through his stellar showing on the DP World Tour.

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McIlroy has been an inspiration for McKibbin since he emerged as Northern Ireland’s newest Golfing sensation. “He’s done amazingly well, and I think his Game is going to be suited for America,” said McIlroy.

“He hits the ball high. Hits it long. He won in Germany last year; he has had chances this year, and he’s been very, very consistent. For a guy that’s only 21 to show that level of consistency, that bodes well for the future,” McIlroy added.

Hojgaard’s bitter-sweet moment

While Hojgaard was unhappy to not win the title, he had other reasons to be pleased. The Dane earned the top spot out of 10 PGA Tour cards that were handed out for the second year running to players who were not already exempt on the PGA Tour under the strategic alliance between the two tours. The card will open many more gateways, such as a spot in the 2025 Players Championship.

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“I came to Abu Dhabi (HSBC Championship the week before) with the goal of securing the No 1 PGA Tour card, and I am happy that I have done it,” said Hojgaard, adding, “It sucks to lose, but you need to make birdies in the end, and Rory did that. I battled hard through the day.”

Stepping stone to PGA Tour

While Rozner birdied the last hole to secure a PGA Tour card for the 2025 season, Adam Scott, an 11-time DP World Tour winner, and Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open champion, both carded final round 68s to finish in a tie for third at 11-under par along with Rozner.

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Tyrrell Hatton was placed sixth, while Robert MacIntyre, Joaquin Niemann, Keita Nakajima, and Jesper Svensson completed the top 10 at nine-under par.

The 10 players who earned PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season include Rasmus Hojgaard, South African Thriston Lawrence, Englishman Paul Waring, Swede Jesper Svensson, Danish Niklas Norgaard, Antoine Rozner of France, Italy’s Matteo Manassero, Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, and Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin.