Rory McIlroy ends 2024 by winning DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai

McIlroy ended the year on a high note.

The Northern Irishman finished with a -12 total, shooting rounds of 67, 69, and 68, and started the final day tied for the lead alongside Antoine Rozner and Rasmus Højgaard.

McIlroy, who had already claimed his fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic earlier in the year, got off to a shaky start on Sunday with a bogey on the first hole. However, he quickly found his rhythm, rolling in four consecutive birdies to jump to -15.

Despite a missed green on the reachable par-5 seventh hole, he continued to battle through tough Bermuda rough, finishing the front nine with a frustrating bogey, but holding a one-shot lead over Højgaard at -14.

"The way Rasmus plays, you know you can’t let up," McIlroy said of his rival. By the time McIlroy reached the 72nd hole, the two were still neck and neck, tied at -13.

But McIlroy’s experience shone through, and a calm, composed finish saw him secure victory with a round of 69.

This win marked his third DP World Tour Championship title, equaling Jon Rahm's record, and his seventh victory in Dubai.

McIlroy’s win also handed him the Race to Dubai title, adding a sixth to his collection and drawing him level with Seve Ballesteros.

The victory capped an incredible season, which saw him start the week 1,785 points ahead of his nearest challenger, Thriston Lawrence.

Lawrence’s failure to secure a win in Dubai, finishing tied for 30th, ensured McIlroy’s triumph.

“It’s really cool. Seve’s legacy means so much to European golf, especially in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy said of matching the legendary Spaniard's tally.

McIlroy now sits second on the Race to Dubai leaderboard, just two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight titles.

The win also guarantees McIlroy a spot in the 2025 Signature Events, and he’s already eyeing more success.

“I’m up for it. I’ve just won my third in a row and I’ve made it a priority to give myself the best chance to win this title each year,” he said.

Elsewhere, Højgaard’s runner-up finish secured him a spot in the 2025 Signature Events, while Shane Lowry’s final-round 68, which included a brilliant chip-in on the 17th, saw him finish tied for third. Lowry ended the Race to Dubai rankings in 17th place at -11.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin also had a memorable finish, securing the 10th and final PGA Tour card for 2025 with a two-putt birdie on the 18th. “It was a tough one, but I’m excited to get over there and see how it goes,” McKibbin said of his achievement.

With the season wrapped up, McIlroy’s victory underlines his status as one of golf's most consistent and dominant players.