McIlroy wins DP World Tour Championship, matches Seve Ballesteros’ record
Højgaard’s strong performance falls short in Race to Dubai title
Rory McIlroy delivered a commanding performance to win the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai by two strokes, defeating Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard and securing his sixth Race to Dubai crown.
This victory at the Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, caps a remarkable season for the four-time Major Champion. His final round of three-under-par 69 sealed his third DP World Tour Championship title, a feat he previously achieved in 2012 and 2015. In those years, McIlroy also won the Race to Dubai, a distinction he now holds for the sixth time, equalling the late Seve Ballesteros.
“It means a lot. I've been through a lot this year professionally, personally. It feels like the fitting end to 2024,” McIlroy said. “I persevered this year a lot... and thankfully I hung on a tough day and got it done.”
DP World Tour Championship 2024
The 2024 finale carried high stakes, with McIlroy and Højgaard locked in a tense battle throughout the day. A birdie on the 16th hole gave McIlroy the edge, and he closed the season in style with another birdie on the 18th, finishing with a 15-under-par total of 273.
Rasmus Højgaard aimed to follow in the footsteps of his twin brother Nicolai, who triumphed at the same event last year. Despite a bogey on the first hole, Højgaard recovered with birdies on the second and seventh, eventually tying McIlroy atop the leaderboard when the Northern Irishman faltered on the ninth and 13th holes.
While McIlroy delivered late-round brilliance, Højgaard couldn’t capitalise on key opportunities, closing with 11 consecutive pars for a final-round 71 and finishing runner-up at 13-under-par.
Although he narrowly missed the title, Højgaard’s performance secured him second place in the final Race to Dubai standings and his first PGA TOUR card. “It’s a massive achievement, and I look forward to the new challenge next year,” he said.
A season of consistency and triumph
For McIlroy, this win capped an extraordinary 2024 season marked by four worldwide victories, including two in Dubai. His consistency was evident, with eight top-five finishes in 12 DP World Tour appearances.
The year began with a victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and saw McIlroy finish runner-up in four prestigious events: the Dubai Invitational, the US Open, the Amgen Irish Open, and the BMW PGA Championship.
Reflecting on his journey, McIlroy said, “I had close calls, wasn’t able to get it done earlier, but to finish the season like this feels amazing. The wedge on 16, the shot on 18—those were crucial moments.”
South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence was the only player entering the week capable of denying McIlroy the Race to Dubai title. However, Lawrence’s shared 30th-place finish at one-under-par left him 14 strokes adrift of McIlroy.
The tournament also determined the ten players who earned dual PGA TOUR membership for 2025. Joining Lawrence (third on the Race to Dubai standings) were Rasmus Højgaard, England’s Paul Waring, Sweden’s Jesper Svensson, Denmark’s Niklas Nørgaard, Italy’s Matteo Manassero, Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen, France’s Antoine Rozner, Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, and Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin.
Artistic flair and family fun
While McIlroy dazzled on the course, French artist Rémi Bertoche brought his unique flair to the event. Known for his live paintings, Bertoche created his fourth and final canvas of the year during Sunday’s play.
“I come onto the course before everybody... feel the ambiance,” said Bertoche, who has painted for the King of Bahrain and the Prince of Monaco.
The tournament also featured a vibrant family-friendly atmosphere, with free entry for children under 17. The Championship Village offered entertainment, including live performances, a circus show, a drumming workshop, and trick-shot displays. The day concluded with a musical performance by Greg Pearson on the main stage, rounding off the 2024 DP World Tour Championship in style.
As McIlroy lifted the trophy in the Dubai sun, the moment marked a fitting end to a season defined by resilience, consistency, and brilliance. The golfing world now awaits what the record-chasing McIlroy will accomplish in 2025.