Rory McIlroy wins sixth Race to Dubai title after DP World Tour Championship victory: ‘Means lots’ after this 12 months

Rory McIlroy has gained his sixth Race to Dubai title after triumphing within the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

The 35-year-old has now gained three successive Race to Dubai crowns and his sixth general — beforehand profitable in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2022 and 2023 — to match the document of {golfing} legend Seve Ballesteros on the European tour.

McIlroy entered the season-closing event with a 1,785-point lead over closest challenger Thriston Lawrence, who wanted to win the DP World Tour Championship and hope McIlroy completed exterior the highest 11 in Dubai if he have been to win.

McIlroy gained the trophy forward of the South African by ending two strokes forward of Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard on 15-under at Jumeirah Golf Estates as he shot a three-under-par 69 in his remaining spherical. Hojgaard was stage with McIlroy with 4 holes left to play however an excellent method shot allowed the Northern Irishman to birdie the sixteenth and pull forward of the Dane, who then missed a birdie putt on the 18th earlier than McIlroy sealed the win with one in every of his personal.

“It means lots as a result of I’ve been by way of lots this 12 months, professionally and personally,” McIlroy instructed Sky Sports activities.

“It feels just like the becoming finish to 2024; there have been a whole lot of shut calls the place I haven’t been capable of get it over the road, however this was a troublesome day once I may get the job performed.”

McIlroy’s Race to Dubai win comes after he seemed to be on the cusp of ending his 10-year watch for a serious in June, however struggled in his remaining spherical on the US Open and misplaced to the American Bryson DeChambeau by one shot.

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When requested about equaling the Race to Dubai document held by the late Ballesteros, McIlroy grew to become visibly tearful as he defined the importance.

“Everybody is aware of what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup gamers,” he stated.

“Within the European locker room, all now we have are quotes from Seve — now we have a altering room with a Seve shirt from ’95, the final Ryder Cup he performed.

“He means a lot to European golf and for me to be talked about in the identical breath as him…I’m very proud.”