Securing the Race to Dubai title for the second consecutive year brings Rory McIlroy closer to Seve Ballesteros and leaves him three titles behind Colin Montgomerie’s record.
At the age of 34, Rory McIlroy finished the DP World Tour Championship tied for 22nd place, trailing the eventual champion Nicolai Hojgaard by 11 shots. Despite not winning the tournament, McIlroy had already established an unassailable lead in the rankings before starting his play on the Greg Norman-designed Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. This guaranteed his fifth lift of the Harry Vardon trophy after the final round.
This recent success elevates McIlroy above Peter Oosterhuis into the third position on the overall leaderboard, with only Ballesteros (six titles) and Montgomerie (eight titles) ahead. McIlroy is fully aware of his place in the record books and expresses confidence in surpassing both legends before concluding his career. Reflecting on this accomplishment, he stated, “It’s truly remarkable to be mentioned alongside Seve and Monty, the esteemed figures of European golf.”
Rory McIlroy: FIVE time Race to Dubai Champion 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/bCkTiwLJUX
— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) November 19, 2023
“I never thought I would reach this point, even in my wildest dreams, but there’s no reason to slow down now. I would love to stand on this green again next year, aim for a sixth victory, and maintain the positive momentum.”
McIlroy continued, expressing his belief in several more years of performing at the highest level. “I still have some gas left in the tank. I believe I have a solid eight to ten years ahead, playing at the pinnacle of the sport. I aspire to challenge and, at the very least, surpass Seve’s record and eventually Monty’s as well. It’s a goal for the remainder of my career, and achieving something like that would hold significant meaning for me.”
Despite being content with back-to-back titles, McIlroy emphasized his dissatisfaction with his golf performance. “The last couple of years have been good, but I want to advance and aim for more major victories; that’s where my focus lies, and we keep moving forward,” McIlroy affirmed. “Winning highlights my consistent performance year after year. In the last decade, I’ve secured eight season-long titles between America and here, showcasing my level of consistency.
“I mentioned to Harry [Diamond] on the last green that while some guys might outperform me in a given week, there aren’t many who can surpass me throughout the entire season. It’s about being a bit more precise when I have opportunities to win those crucial weeks.
“All in all, it’s been another remarkably solid year. The stroke average has been excellent, and I’ve played exceptional golf. Hopefully, more of the same as we head into next year and beyond.”
His 2024 campaign kicks off where 2023 concludes. The Dubai Invitational and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic are back-to-back events at the beginning of the 2024 DP World Tour.
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