For the third time in his career Rory McIlroy has won the DP World Championship, with a two shot victory sending the Irishman top of this year’s final Race To Dubai standings.
Rory McIlroy Wins DP World Championship
Rory McIlroy was able to hold off all of his rivals in Dubai this weekend, as he won his third DP World Championship to tie Jon Rahm on a competition best three titles.
McIlroy was tied for the lead coming into the final round on Sunday, with both Antoine Rozner and Rasmus Højgaard also on 12 under coming into the last day.
But McIlroy’s vast experience in final day situations clearly paid off, as he was able to push on to win the championship on Sunday shooting three under to clinch a third title.
Højgaard didn’t make things easy for McIlroy though and he was within one shot of the leader all afternoon, but the Dane wasn’t able to get past this year’s winner down the stretch as he extended to a two shot lead on the 18th.
“I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally, personally and it feels like the fitting end to 2024,” said an emotional McIlroy.
“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
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) November 17, 2024
“I’ve persevered this year a lot, had close calls, wasn’t able to get it done, so to be able to get over the line… I’m really pleased with the way I finished and thankfully I hung on on a tough day and got the job done.”
His victory this weekend was McIlroy’s first win on the DP World Tour in 301 days, with his last win coming in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the start of 2024.
Race To Dubai Standings
McIlroy didn’t only win the DP World Championship this weekend, as he was confirmed as the Race To Dubai champion yet again for a third consecutive year.
Thriston Lawrence needed to win the championship this week to hold on at the top of the Race To Dubai standings but after he finished one under on Sunday, McIlroy clinched top spot.
With his sixth career Race To Dubai title this year, McIlroy tied Spanish icon Seve Ballesteros’ total championships, which was an emotional milestone for the Irishman.
Six Race to Dubai titles 🖐☝
Rory McIlroy celebrates with his wife Erica and daughter Poppy ❤ pic.twitter.com/0BG7earSCv
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 17, 2024
“Everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players,” McIlroy said after his win on Sunday.
“The European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes from Seve. We had a changing room with Seve’s 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, I’m very proud.”
There is now only one player in golf history who has won more Race To Dubai titles than McIlroy and he will have his eyes firmly set on Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight wins.
