Rory McIlroy has already set his sights on winning his seventh Race to Dubai crown next season after double delight in Dubai.
The World Number Three finished the 2024 DP World Tour campaign in style by winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship by two shots.
He seemed in total control when he turned an early deficit into a three shot lead courtesy of four straight birdies from the second.
However, Rasmus Højgaard kept in touch and when the Northern Irishman bogeyed the ninth and 13th, there was a two-way tie at the top.
Locked at 13 under, McIlroy made his move with a stunning approach inside a foot at the 16th to nudge back ahead.
His Danish rival carded a clutch par at the 17th to remain one behind heading down the last, but he could not drain his birdie effort as McIlroy had two putts for victory.
The 35-year-old only needed one to claim his third triumph at Jumeirah Golf Estates following successes in 2012 and 2015 and, as a result, sealed his sixth Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex of his career.
That moved McIlroy up to second on the all-time list alongside Seve Ballesteros with only Colin Montgomerie’s total of eight lying ahead of him, and he aims to make inroads on the Scot's tally in 2025.
“It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally, personally and it feels like a fitting end to 2024,” McIlroy said.
“I’ve persevered a lot this year, had close calls and couldn’t 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 it done.
“It’s been a long year, my 27th tournament, which is a lot to me. Looking forward to a little bit of downtime.
Rory McIlroy on matching Seve Ballesteros' record 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Zp0lyPsuGJ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 17, 2024
“I have a lot of friends and my family here in Dubai, so I’m sure we’ll have a good night tonight.”
McIlroy became emotional when speaking about his achievement of joining the Spanish great on the all-time list, he said: “It’s really cool. I think everyone know what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players.
“He means so much to European golf and for me to be mentioned in the same breath, I’m very proud.
“I’ve just won my third in a row and I’ve really made it a priority of my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance coming into the end of the year to win the Race to Dubai.
“I don’t see that being any different for the foreseeable future. You know, I’m going to go for my seventh next year and try to chase Monty down.”
