Tearful Rory McIlroy caps tumultuous year with double DP World Tour win

Rory McIlroy capped a tumultuous 2024 season in the most fitting way possible—by securing his third career victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, marking his sixth Race to Dubai title. As the 35-year-old Northern Irishman stood on the 18th green, overcome with emotion, he reflected on a year filled with personal and professional challenges, finally finding solace in triumph.

Tears filled McIlroy’s eyes as he spoke to Sky Sports, sharing just how much the victory meant after what had been one of the most testing years of his career. “It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year professionally, personally,” he said, visibly emotional. “It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered this year a lot.” This victory added to McIlroy’s already impressive resume, securing his fourth win of the season after two victories on the PGA Tour.

While McIlroy’s season was widely considered a success by any standard, including multiple wins, the year had its fair share of heartbreak. One of the most poignant moments came during the US Open in June when McIlroy was on the verge of clinching his fifth major title, only to have it slip away in dramatic fashion. A pair of missed putts from inside four feet on the final holes handed victory to Bryson DeChambeau in a gut-wrenching finish at Pinehurst.

Adding to the strain of his season, McIlroy’s personal life was also in the spotlight. In the lead-up to the US Open, McIlroy filed for divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll, after seven years of marriage. However, the couple reconciled in time for the major tournament, and their reunion was a source of solace for McIlroy as the season progressed. On Sunday, McIlroy was joined on the Earth course by his wife and their daughter, Poppy, celebrating not only the victory but also the support his family had shown through an emotionally challenging year.

“Their support means the world to me,” McIlroy said, his voice thick with emotion. “To be able to show Poppy what happened today and maybe some of the reasons why I’m not around all the time because I’m working or practicing … it’s incredible that they were here with me this week, and I’m excited to go celebrate with them.”

The victory itself was a hard-fought one, with McIlroy birdying both the 16th and 18th holes to maintain a two-shot lead over Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard, finishing at 15-under par. This triumph sealed McIlroy’s place as the best player of the European season, earning him a $5 million payday—$3 million from the tournament’s prize purse and an additional $2 million for winning the Race to Dubai.

This marked his sixth Race to Dubai win, a feat that ties him with Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros. For McIlroy, being mentioned in the same breath as the late Ballesteros was especially meaningful. “Everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players,” McIlroy said. He wiped away tears as he continued, reflecting on the impact Ballesteros had on European golf, particularly in the Ryder Cup. “In the European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes of Seve. We had a changing room with Seve’s shirt from ‘95, the last Ryder Cup he played. For me to be mentioned in the same breath, I’m very proud.”

Looking ahead, McIlroy made it clear that he wasn’t done chasing greatness. “Going to go for my seventh next year and try to chase Monty down,” he added, referring to Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai titles, which remains the benchmark in European golf.

For McIlroy, 2024 was a year of personal and professional resilience, and as the season came to a close, he expressed a deep sense of gratitude. “It’s been quite the year, but I’m super happy with where I am in my career and in my life, and I feel like everything’s worked out the way it was supposed to.”

In the end, McIlroy’s emotional victory was more than just a tournament win. It was the culmination of a season where perseverance, family support, and determination played a central role in returning him to the top of the European golf scene. With 2025 on the horizon, McIlroy’s focus is clear: continue to strive for greatness, both on and off the course.