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Rory McIlroy held off Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard to win the season-ending DP World Tour Championship and clinch his sixth Race to Dubai title.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman finished two strokes ahead of Hojgaard on 15 under at Jumeirah Golf Estates after a three-under-par 69 in his final round. <\/p>\n
McIlroy, 35, was confirmed as the Race to Dubai winner midway through his round when nearest challenger Thriston Lawrence – who had needed to win the tournament to have any chance of clinching the overall title – finished at one under.<\/p>\n
It is the third year in succession that McIlroy has topped the tour’s season rankings and his sixth title overall – matching Seve Ballesteros’ record.<\/p>\n
“Everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players,” an emotional McIlroy told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
“The European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes from Seve. We had a changing room with Seve’s shirt from ’95, the last Ryder Cup he played. <\/p>\n
“He means so much to European golf and for me to be mentioned in the same breath, I’m very proud.”<\/p>\n
Sharing a three-way lead at the start of the final round, McIlroy put two shots between himself and Hojgaard with four birdies in his first five holes.<\/p>\n
But bogeys on the ninth and 13th allowed the Dane to draw level with four holes remaining.<\/p>\n
Just as Hojgaard was piling on the pressure, McIlroy produced a stunning approach shot on the 16th to tee up a birdie putt.<\/p>\n
It was precisely the type of risky, aggressive play that has worked against McIlroy in the past but it moved him one stroke clear on this occasion with two holes left.<\/p>\n
Hojgaard was forced to be aggressive in reply, but the Dane narrowly missed a birdie putt on the 18th – relieving the pressure on McIlroy who holed his own birdie attempt to seal the win.<\/p>\n
Despite his success this season, McIlroy failed to end his decade-long wait for another major.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old collapsed during his final round of June’s US Open, eventually losing by one stroke to Bryson DeChambeau. <\/p>\n
“I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally, personally and it feels like the fitting end to 2024,” said McIlroy.<\/p>\n
“I’ve persevered this year a lot, had close calls, wasn’t able to get it done, 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 the job done.” <\/p>\n
McIlroy will be joined on the PGA Tour next year by countryman Tom McKibbin.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old shot a 72 in his fourth round to finish tied for 11th on eight under and claim the final dual membership spot. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n