DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy ended a tumultuous year full of emotions on and off the golf course with trophies and plenty of tears.
McIlroy broke a tie with Rasmus Hojgaard with a birdie on the 16th hole, and closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory Sunday at the World Tour Championship. He also claimed his sixth title as the number 1 player in Europe.
Afterwards the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland was speechless, overcome with emotion as he reflected on the wins, losses and everything else during this year.
“I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally and personally,” said McIlroy. “It looks like the end is right for 2024. I’ve been very patient this year.”
He won four times, twice on the PGA Tour, and tied the late Seve Ballesteros for his sixth title in the Race to Dubai, formerly the Order of Merit. Two more could match Colin Montgomerie for the record.
“I’ve made it a top priority in my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance at the end of the year to win the Race to Dubai. I don’t see that changing for the foreseeable future,” McIlroy said. “I’ll be seventh next year and I’ll try to chase Monty.”
McIlroy lost his chance at the US Open by missing two short putts over the final three holes at Pinehurst No. 2, finished one behind Bryson DeChambeau. He was on the verge of winning the final until Hojgaard surprised him with a late charge in the Irish Open at Royal Country Down.
In May, McIlroy revealed that he had filed for divorce, and surprisingly word came a month later that the divorce proceedings had been dismissed and they would try to settle it. His wife, Erica, and 4-year-old daughter Poppy were in Dubai to celebrate his latest victory.
It was a lot for McIlroy, and the emotion at the end took that away.
“To end the year like this, it’s a dream come true,” McIlroy said at the closing ceremony, where he lifted the World Tour Championship trophy and the Harry Vardon Trophy for winning the season’s points title. “It was tough at times. I had a lot of close calls. To finish the year the way I did today means the world to me.”
McIlroy reeled off four straight birdies from the second hole to build a three-shot lead over Hojgaard, whose twin brother Nicolai won the tournament last year. Hojgaard birdied the seventh, and McIlroy birdied the ninth and 13th holes.
McIlroy took control with his wedge on 16, which dropped from the green to a foot in front of the hole. Hojgaard failed to match that birdie and didn’t hold back, closing with a 71 after bogeying the final 11 holes.
McIlroy, who finished at 15-under 273, earned $5 million — $3 million in tournament prize money and a $2 million Race to Dubai bonus.
France’s Antoine Rozner, who started the final round tied for the lead with McIlroy and Hojgaard, led by two after a birdie at the opening hole. His round fell apart with a three-putt double bogey on the ninth hole. He shot a 73 and tied for third with Adam Scott and Shane Lowry, who each had 68.
Rozner was among 10 players to receive PGA Tour cards for 2025, a group led by Race to Dubai runner-up Hojgaard. He will be joining his twin on the US tour.
Last place went to Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, who bravely cleared the water on the 18th to make a birdie putt-putt. That was enough to beat Jordan Smith for the 10th and final PGA Tour card.
McIlroy won his 37th world title as he bids to take his place among the European champions. The mention of Ballesteros made him emotional among all the Spaniards who had meant the development of European travel.
“I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players. [In the] European Ryder Cup locker room, we have only Seve quotes. We had a locker room with Seve’s shirt from 1995, the last Ryder Cup he played,” McIlroy said as he wiped away more tears. “And to be on the same page, I’m very proud.”
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