Rory McIlroy left EMOTIONAL following “fitting end” to 2024 season with DP World Tour Championship win

Rory McIlroy was left visibly emotional after securing a double victory of Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship titles.

Rory McIlroy left EMOTIONAL following “fitting end” to 2024 season with DP World Tour Championship win

Rory McIlroy (Image via PGA Tour)

On Sunday, Former World No.1 Rory McIlroy was left visibly emotional following victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. He would later describe this win as a “fitting end” to his 2024 season.

McIlroy entered the final round as one of three co-leaders alongside Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner. He carded a score of 3-under 69 and went to finish the event while 15-under 273 and finished two shots clear of Hojgaard.

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The triumph on Sunday also secured a double for McIlroy. Before entering this event, he sat at the top of the Race to Dubai standings. Only Thriston Lawrence had the chance to dethrone him but that would have needed a top finish from him and a poor outing from McIlroy.

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Both of these scenarios did not come out to play as McIlroy emerged as the winner and Lawrence finished T30. This secured a record-equalling sixth Race to Dubai title for the North Irish golfer.

During the post-round interview, the 35-year-old choked up. He would claim that the win “means a lot” to him.

It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally, personally and it feels like a fitting end to 2024.

Rory McIlroy said in the post-round interview

At the U.S. Open in June, McIlroy looked dialed in to claim his fifth major championship as he sat one shot ahead of Bryson DeChambeau. However, two close putts missed saw him lose the advantage and allowed the LIV Golfer to take home the major by finishing one shot ahead of McIlroy in the final standings.

Apart from that McIlroy also had some personal life issues. In May reports emerged that he and his wife Erica Stoll had filed for a divorce citing irreconcilable differences. A month later the couple dismissed the divorce petition as they resolved their issues and reconciled together.

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Rory McIlroy proud to match Seve Ballesteros’ record following sixth Race to Dubai title triumph

The win on Sunday marked Rory McIlroy‘s sixth Race to Dubai title victory. This saw him tie the record of the late-great Seve Ballesteros for the most Race to Dubai title (earlier called Order of Merit) wins. After the event, a tearful McIlroy claimed he was proud to match the Spanish’s golfer record.

Rory McIlroy and Seve Ballesteros
Rory McIlroy (L) and Seve Ballesteros (R) [Image via Sky Sports]

During the press conference before the tournament, McIlroy spoke about Ballesteros and how he was his father’s favorite golfer. In this interview with Sky Sports’ Tim Barter, the World No.3 once again pointed out how much he meant for the European golfers.

Yeah, it’s really cool. I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players. European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes of 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.

Rory McIlroy on Seve Ballesteros
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Ballesteros is credited to have played a major role in the re-emergence of European golf in his time as a player. He won the Ryder Cup 5 times both as a player and a captain. On top of that, he won 5 major championships and is the all-time leader on the European Tour in terms of most wins with 50. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 54 due to brain cancer.