Rory McIlroy sets sights on Monty’s record after emotional victory

Rory McIlroy has set his sights on breaking Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight European Tour Order of Merit titles after winning the Race to Dubai for the third year on the spin.

Holding a healthy lead going into the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, McIlroy closed out the victory in style by winning the season finale, holding off Rasmus Hojgaard down the stretch to win for the 18th time on the European circuit.

The Irishman has now finished the year as Europe’s No.1 golfer six times and is only two shy of equalling Monty’s record.

That, he says, is squarely in his crosshairs.

“I’m up for it,” said the 35-year-old. “I’ve just won my third in a row, and I’ve really made it a priority of my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance coming into the end of the year to win the Race to Dubai. I don’t see that being any different for the foreseeable future.

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“I’m going to go for my seventh next year and try to chase Monty down.”

In an emotional greenside interview with Sky Sports’ Tim Barter, McIlroy also opened up on how important it was to him to end a difficult year on a positive note.

Despite winning four times around the world, he failed to add to his haul of four major championships – seeing his drought in the game’s marquee championships extend into a second decade – and suffered agonising near-misses elsewhere, including on home soil at the Irish Open.

Off the course, it has been no less tumultuous a year. However, as it draws to a close, it does so on a good note.

“I’ve been through a lot this year professionally, personally,” he said. “It feels like afitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered this year a lot. Had close calls. Wasn’t able to get it done.

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“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 it done.”

McIlroy choked back tears and needed to pause to regain his composure when he was told that his sixth Race to Dubai title had brought him level with the late, great Seve Ballesteros.

“I think everyone know what is Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players,” he added. “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.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor