Rory McIlroy Wins Europe’s No. 1 Golfer for 6th Time with World Tour Championship

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVNovember 17, 2024

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Rory McIlroy was crowned Europe’s top golfer for the sixth time after winning the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai on Sunday.

He and Seve Ballesteros are now tied for the second-most all time behind Colin Montgomerie, who has eight

McIlroy beat Rasmus Højgaard by two shots in the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in the United Arab Emirates. He closed with two birdies in his last three holes to fend off the Dane.

DP World Tour @DPWorldTourRory wins his THIRD DP World Tour Championship title 🏆#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/D2Bogy7kVz

Højgaard carded a six-under 66 on Saturday to put himself in a three-way tie for first place with McIlroy and Antoine Rozner after three rounds. He simply couldn’t match that performance when it mattered the most, though. After birdieing the seventh hole and moving to one under for the round, he had 11 straight pars.

For McIlroy, Sunday’s triumph lets him end 2024 on a high note. He reflected after the tournament how it has been a tough year “professionally and personally.”

Sky Sports Golf @SkySportsGolf”I’ve been through a lot this year. Professionally and personally. It feels like a fitting end to 2024.”

Rory McIlroy after winning the DP World Tour Championship: pic.twitter.com/RQxChnOzrX

The 35-year-old tied for ninth in the FedExCup and was up and down across the four majors. He had one top-10 finish (runner-up in the U.S. Open) and missed the cut in the Open Championship.

Off the course, McIlroy filed for divorce from his wife, Erica, before they reconciled in June.

Between coming up just short in the U.S. Open and having his personal life be the subject of ongoing rumors and speculation, the four-time champion took a brief hiatus from golf altogether.

On the whole, 2024 probably isn’t a year McIlroy will look back on fondly. The season wasn’t without its memorable achievements and winning the Race to Dubai will be at the top of the list.