Rory McIlroy rounded off another incredibly eventful season in style on Sunday, with the Northern Irishman winning the DP World Tour Championship to make absolutely certain that he would win the Race to Dubai for the sixth time in his career.
In truth, Rory McIlroy already had more than one hand on the Race to Dubai crown before the season finale on the DP World Tour. But he wrapped up the title in superb fashion as he beat Rasmus Hojgaard by two shots to win for the fourth time this year.
Nevertheless, the one tournament which will perhaps be associated with McIlroy a lot longer than any other played in 2024 is the US Open, where he was beaten by Bryson DeChambeau by one as he made three bogeys in the final four holes.
He was also overshadowed across the season by the performances of Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. Scheffler won eight times worldwide, while Schauffele won his first two major titles in 2024. McIlroy himself admitted after his victory in Dubai that Scheffler and Schauffele are the two players to have had a better year than him.
What Rory McIlroy does better than Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele
But perhaps there is one area of the game where McIlroy has the edge on the top two players in the world. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rob Lee suggested that McIlroy captures the imagination of the fans like few others in the game.
“I think when you talk about if everybody was playing their best, if everybody is playing their absolute best, I think Rory’s the best player in the world,” he said.
“I know Scottie Scheffler’s been amazing, but Scottie doesn’t make me want to watch the television. Xander Schauffele doesn’t make me want to watch the television. Rory does, because you’re kind of on a rollercoaster with Rory, you’re up and down and following him along the tracks and you don’t quite know where it’s going to go.
“And so, you’re kind of on the edge of your seat as a viewer and he carries you with him. He can hit shots that pretty much no-one else in the world can hit. He’s an amazing golfer, he really is.”
How other players have compared McIlroy and Scheffler in 2024
Interestingly, Lee is not the first person to point out that McIlroy makes fans feel differently than Scheffler does. And there will be plenty of golfers who probably agree with that view.
Jason Day said that Scheffler does not blow you away like McIlroy or Tiger Woods would after the American won the Olympic gold medal in France earlier this year.
“The difference between Tiger and Rory, when you watch Scottie, like I know that like from tee-to-green, he’s amazing. I say this in the most respectful away, he doesn’t blow you away like what a Tiger Woods would do or a Rory McIlroy would do. Doesn’t make mistakes,” he said.
“He hits it in the right spots and does the right things. He’s got unbelievable control with his iron play, and when he misses a green, he’s got a good short game to back it up. He’s got such a complete game.”
It is hard to put your finger on what exactly it is which makes the statement true, but it really does feel as if McIlroy remains the biggest superstar at the top of the game. Perhaps it is the fact that Scheffler just does not make mistakes. McIlroy does indeed take you on an emotional journey.
Tommy Fleetwood also said McIlroy is the most talented player of his generation. So it is extremely pleasing to see all of the plaudits coming his way now that he has won the Order of Merit for a sixth time.
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