Rory McIlroy delivered a stellar performance at the DP World Tour Championship, holding off Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard to secure victory and claim his sixth Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman completed the tournament at 15-under-par, finishing two shots ahead of Hojgaard after carding a three-under-par 69 in the final round at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
McIlroy, 35, was confirmed as the Race to Dubai champion during his final round after South African contender Thriston Lawrence failed to mount a challenge.
Lawrence, who needed a tournament win to surpass McIlroy in the rankings, ended the event at one under par.
This victory marked McIlroy’s third consecutive season topping the DP World Tour rankings and his sixth overall title, equaling the legendary Seve Ballesteros.
Reflecting on the achievement, McIlroy said: “Everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players… He means so much to European golf, and for me to be mentioned in the same breath, I’m very proud.
“I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally, personally, and it feels like the fitting end to 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.”
Rory McIlroy wins the DP World Tour Championship 🏆#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/uhth0ceOdZ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 17, 2024
Starting the final day tied for the lead, McIlroy quickly surged ahead with birdies on four of his first five holes.
However, bogeys on the ninth and 13th allowed Hojgaard to draw level as the competition reached its final stretch.
McIlroy regained momentum on the 16th hole with a brilliant approach shot that set up a crucial birdie putt, giving him a one-stroke advantage.
Hojgaard, forced into an aggressive response, narrowly missed a birdie opportunity on the 18th.
McIlroy capitalised by sinking his own birdie putt to seal both the tournament win and the season-long title.
Despite his successes, McIlroy’s season lacked a major championship victory, continuing a decade-long drought.
His closest opportunity came at June’s U.S. Open, where he lost by a single stroke to Bryson DeChambeau after a disappointing final round.
