Rory McIlroy posts emotional message on social media after winning the Race to Dubai

Add as preferred source on Google

Rory McIlroy is now a seven-time Order of Merit winner after coming up just short behind Matt Fitzpatrick in the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy fought back from two shots back on the final hole to force a playoff but then had a disastrous playoff hole as he made a bogey.

The Northern Irishman first found the water off the tee before hitting his approach into the bunker and then failing to get up and down.

• READ MORE: DP World Tour CEO issues his honest verdict on Brian Rolapp and the strategic alliance with the PGA Tour

However, his runner-up finish was more than enough to win the Race to Dubai and secure a seventh season-long title.

Now, taking to social media to celebrate his win, McIlroy has posted an emotional message, paying homage to Seve Ballesteros in doing so.

Rory McIlroy’s emotional post about Seve Ballesteros after winning the Race to Dubai

McIlroy had already paid tribute to Ballesteros after losing to Fitzpatrick and he continued to speak about the Spaniard in his post-round interviews.

McIlroy also spoke highly of Fitzpatrick, and despite not winning the actual tournament this week, he was clearly happy for his Ryder Cup teammate to get it done.

Now, over on Instagram, McIlroy has remained in a sentimental mood as he once again mentions Ballesteros in celebrating his win.

“Winning my 7th Race to Dubai is incredibly meaningful. Seve had such a profound impact on this tour and the European Ryder Cup Team. To surpass him this year is something I never imagined,” McIlroy wrote.

• READ MORE: Former FedEx Cup champion in danger of losing PGA Tour card as his struggles continue in Bermuda

Rory McIlroy can overtake Colin Montgomerie

Being a seven time Order of Merit winner takes some doing.

Rory McIlroy is already cemented as one of the best to ever do it from European shores but we all know that he will have Colin Montgomerie in his sights as he works through the next stages of his career.

Montgomerie is currently the leader with eight titles and McIlroy will know full well he is good enough to not only match that, but overtake it.

Right now, McIlroy is the number two golfer in the world and it would be no surprise to see him win out again in 2026.

From there, he will have the incentive of getting to nine or ten and truly laying down a marker that will never be passed.