The most eventful year of Rory McIlroy's career ended with tears of happiness.
He won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, earning him his sixth Order of Merit title, matching the late Seve Ballesteros. So, when asked about this feat after the round, McIlroy could barely compose himself.knows that his name will forever be associated with one of the greatest and most energetic European players of all time.
“I think we all know what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players,” McIlroy said, fighting back tears.
“European Ryder Cup dressing room, all we know is Seve's words. In our dressing room we had Seve's shirt from '95, the last Ryder Cup he played in. He means a lot to European golf and I'm very proud to be mentioned in the same way.”
McIlroy then detailed why he became so emotional during his press conference.
“I think just the combination of Seve and finally crossing a line in something I've been feeling for a long time, all those emotions hit me. Yeah, so I had to calm myself down. '' McIlroy said.
“Today is a big day for me. It means a lot to end 2024 in this way. It really means a lot. I hope you all enjoy the little down time you have right now. I am really looking forward to 2025.”
The Northern Irishman won four times in 2024, his last victory coming at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte in May. All McIlroy has experienced since then has been heartbreak, none more significant than what happened on the second hole at Pinehurst. He missed two short putts in the final three holes and lost the U.S. Open to Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke. There were also close calls at Olympic, Royal County Down and Wentworth as McIlroy couldn't get over the hump.
“I know that my 2024, at least for others, will be defined by the tournaments I didn't win as much as the tournaments I won,” McIlroy added.
“So if I didn't win today, I think I would have been miserable for a few weeks. It would have just added to the list of events that I felt I missed out on, but I'm sure someone would have stepped up to the line without running away. It feels great to cross over and be the last event of the year.”
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
