Shane Lowry says what Rory McIlroy is doing is an ‘absolute joke’ after he wins the DP World Tour Championship

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Few players are going to divide opinion amongst fans when it comes to assessing their seasons quite like Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman clinched the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy sealed a fourth win of the year with victory at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday; in the process winning his sixth Order of Merit title. That moves McIlroy alongside Seve Ballesteros, with only Colin Montgomerie ahead of the pair on eight.

But of course, McIlroy has reached such a level where his year is largely judged on how he performs at the majors. And the way the US Open slipped through his grasp is likely to leave some scars for some time to come.

McIlroy has now not won a major for a decade. He has had chances in the 10 years since, but no better opportunity than Sunday at Pinehurst – with the 35-year-old leading by two at one stage on the back nine in North Carolina.

Shane Lowry lauds Rory McIlroy after latest DP World Tour Championship title

His missed cut at The Open Championship the following month hinted that he was still coming to terms with losing out. And while his win in Dubai will see him end the year on a high, McIlroy will know what will come his way once major championship season arrives again next year.

But speaking after his final round, Shane Lowry suggested that he has noticed a difference in his Ryder Cup teammate ahead of 2025.

“Unfortunately for Rory, I think everybody looks at the glass half-empty. I look at it glass half-full. He’s had an amazingly consistent year. I’ve had a consistent year, but he’s had consistent top three finishes. Mine are top 15s,” he said.

“Like if he wins today, it will be four wins around the world. Obviously gives himself chances and he probably should have won the U.S. Open, let’s be honest, and he’d say that himself, but he didn’t. I think he is more determined than ever to come out firing next year, and obviously the Masters will be on the forefront as my mind and same as myself, he’ll be looking towards the other big tournaments and The Ryder Cup.

“The career he’s had so far is incredible. He has not dropped outside of the top 15 in the world rankings in the last 15 years or something. It’s an absolute joke. He’s putting himself up there with the greats of European golf, not that he already wasn’t and I’m sure he’s got Monty’s records in his sights as well.”

McIlroy’s remarkable performance in the majors over the last 10 years

It is remarkable just how successful McIlroy has been in the major championships without winning over the last 10 years. He has finished second at three of the four events, while he has 21 top 10s.

He missed the 2015 Open due to injury while the event was not staged six years later, he has comfortably finished in the top 10 in more than half of the majors he has played.

Clearly, the quality of McIlroy’s game is not what is stopping him from winning the majors. If everything clicks for him on the biggest stages, wins five, six and seven really may not be too far away.