DUBAI — After clinching his sixth Race to Dubai title, World number three Rory McIlroy is now gunning to become the most successful European golfer in history.
McIlroy triumphed in the DP World Tour’s season-long competition for the third year running, finishing two shots clear of Rasmus Hojgaard with a score of 14-under-par.
“I’m up for (getting the record),” McIlroy said. “I’ve just won my third in a row and I’ve really made it a priority with my schedule over the last few years to give myself a chance with the Race to Dubai and I don’t see that being any different for the foreseeable future. I’m going to go for my seventh next year and try and chase Monty down.”
The 35-year-old Northern Irishman carded a 69 in the final round at the Jumeirah Golf Estates to finish on 15 under par after two birdies in the final three holes saw off the challenge of Denmark’s Hojgaard.
McIlroy equalled the six titles won by the late Seve Ballesteros in the European Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai, previously called the Order of Merit. Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie holds the record with eight victories.
“It’s really cool, I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf, to Ryder cup players,” a visibly emotional McIlroy said.
“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,” McIlroy added according to Reuters.
“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,” McIlroy said according to AP.
He also threw away a chance at the US Open by missing two short putts over the last three holes at Pinehurst No. 2, finishing one behind Bryson DeChambeau.
He was on the verge of finally winning on home soil until Hojgaard stunned him with a late charge in the Irish Open at Royal Country Down.
McIlroy revealed in May that he had filed for divorce, and equally stunning was word a month later that the divorce proceedings had been scrapped and they would try to work it out. His wife, Erica, and 4-year-old daughter Poppy were in Dubai cheering his latest victory.
It was a lot for McIlroy, and the emotions when it was over bore that out.
“To finish the year like this, it’s a dream come true,” McIlroy said at the closing ceremony, where he hoisted the enormous World Tour Championship trophy and the Harry Vardon Trophy for winning the season points title.
“It’s been hard at times,” he said. “Had a lot of close calls. To finish the year off the way I did today means the world to me.”
McIlroy of Northern Ireland ran off four straight birdies from the second hole to build a three-shot lead over the Dane, whose twin brother Nicolai won the tournament last year. Hojgaard pecked away with a birdie on the seventh, and McIlroy dropping shots on the ninth and 13th holes.
McIlroy seized control with his wedge to the 16th, which dropped from the blue sky to a foot in front of the hole.
Hojgaard failed to match that birdie and never caught up. He closed with a 71, making nothing but par over the last 11 holes.
McIlroy, who finished on 15-under 273, won $5 million – $3 million from the tournament prize fund, and a $2 million bonus for the Race to Dubai.
Antoine Rozner of France, who started the final round tied for the lead with McIlroy and Hojgaard, led by two after a birdie on the opening hole.
His round fell apart with a three-putt double bogey on the ninth hole. He shot 73 and tied for third with Adam Scott and Shane Lowry, each with 68.
Rozner was among 10 players who earned PGA Tour cards for 2025, a group led by Hojgaard, who finished second in the Race to Dubai. He will be joining his twin brother on the US tour.
The final spot went to Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland, who boldly cleared the water on the 18th to set up a two-putt birdie. That was just enough to beat out Jordan Smith for the 10th and final PGA Tour card.
McIlroy won for the 37th time worldwide as he bids to take his place among European greats. The mention of Ballesteros made him emotional for all the Spaniard has meant to the development of the European tour.
“I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players. (In the) European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes of Seve. We had a changing room with Seve´s shirt from ´95, the last Ryder Cup he played,” McIlroy said as he wiped away more tears.
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