While the DP World Tour may have wanted more tension when it came to deciding the winner of the Race to Dubai, they would have been delighted that it was Rory McIlroy who ended up running away with the title for the season.
Only Thriston Lawrence could stop Rory McIlroy winning the Race to Dubai heading into the DP World Tour Championship. However, it was definitely not the South African’s week, while McIlroy needed to finish outside the top 11 in Dubai to give his rival any chance at all.
Ultimately, McIlroy ended up winning both the Race to Dubai and the tournament itself. The Northern Irishman was absolutely ruthless in the opening stages of the round as the likes of Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner stumbled.
McIlroy actually made a bogey on the first after sending his approach long of the flag. But he responded with four birdies in four holes to pull away. Of course, the result means that he has now won the Order of Merit on six occasions – tying him with Seve Ballesteros.
Guy Kinnings stunned by Rory McIlroy achievement
Only Colin Montgomerie sits ahead of the pair on eight titles. And speaking to Sky Sports (broadcast on 17/11; 8:12), DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings admitted that he is stunned to see what McIlroy has already achieved as he was asked about where he ranks amongst some of the greatest the game has seen.
“You’re mentioning extraordinary names who’ve done amazing things for golf. What Arnie did, inspired and started everything that we did at IMG and in sports management. And then you have the big three, what Tiger’s done with the big five. Or Seve, inspiring European figure. All of those names are extraordinary, but Rory brings something extraordinary to any event he’s in,” he said.
“It’s not only what he can do inside the ropes, but he brings something that’s outside the ropes. He’s hugely influential. He’s a very, very smart guy. He speaks very well. He’s been critical, I would say, to the game as a figure. But what he’s been for us at the DP World Tour; he’s made a huge commitment, he’s played so many tournaments, he’s competed in about every one, and won a number. But always, it’s a bigger event when Rory’s there.
“And you think about what he could do today, is likely to do today, you put yourself level with Seve on six Order of Merits, Races to Dubai. He’s only two short of a record I thought would never be beaten by our old friend Colin Montgomerie. But the bottom line, that’s an extraordinary achievement. So what he does for the game in every way is a huge asset. We’re really lucky to have him.”
Where McIlroy ranks amongst the greatest the European Tour has ever seen
McIlroy is definitely going to be remembered as one of the greatest of all-time. It says everything that his tally of four majors almost appears to be underwhelming. He has the ability to win so many more and put himself even closer to the best the game has ever seen.
| Player | Order of Merit titles |
| Colin Montgomerie | 8 |
| Rory McIlroy | 6 |
| Seve Ballesteros | 6 |
| Peter Oosterhuis | 4 |
| Bernard Hunt | 3 |
| Bobby Locke | 3 |
| Lee Westwood | 3 |
| Sandy Lyle | 3 |
Tommy Fleetwood labelled McIlroy the most talented player of this generation. And it would be no surprise to see him overtake Montgomerie’s tally of Order of Merit victories before he even turns 40.
Perhaps getting to 10 is now not entirely out of the question.
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