Rory McIlroy finished the year as European No 1 for the fourth time in his career – and the first since 2015 – with fourth place at the DP World Tour Championship; McIlroy also won the PGA Tour’s FedExCup earlier in the year
It’s Ali Stafford
Last Updated: 20/11/22 2:56pm
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Rory McIlroy said it meant a lot to finish No 1 in Europe for the fourth time in his career.
Rory McIlroy said it meant a lot to finish No 1 in Europe for the fourth time in his career.
Rory McIlroy believes he is “as complete a golfer as ever” after re-signing his best 2022 campaign on the DP World Tour for a fourth time.
McIlroy ended the year as European No 1 for the first time since 2015 after finishing fourth in the final round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where Jon Rahm won by two strokes.
The Northern Irishman has never finished worse than 12 in 10 matches on the DP World Tour this season, including eight finishes in all four majors, McIlroy is the first player since Henrik Stenson to win the FedExCup and the Harry Vardon Trophy in the tournament. same year.
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Highlights from day four of the DP World Tour Championship as the world number one race draws to a close
“This [being European No 1] it means a lot,” McIlroy said. “It’s been seven years since I did this. Apparently, this is my fourth but it’s been a while. I’ve won three FedExCups since I won, which was The Race to Dubai back in the day.
“I was the epitome of consistency throughout the year. A great finish. A consistent season that creates great performances.
Rory McIlroy has finished the season as European No 1 for the fourth time
“It would have been nice to get one win there at the end of the year, but Jon [Rahm] he obviously played an amazing tournament and he deserved it. I’m very proud of my year and I’m excited for 2023.”
McIlroy has returned to his best form in recent months on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, posting top-eight finishes in 13 of his last 16 tournaments around the world, struggling for form and consistency at the start of the year.
Rory McIlroy mixed six birdies and two bogeys during the final round at Jumeriah Golf Estates
“I think one of the things I’ve been proud of over the last few years is that I don’t feel like I have to rely on one part of my game,” McIlroy said. “I think if my drive isn’t there, then my putter takes me away.
“If my putter isn’t there, my iron play is driving me. I feel like when you get to this level it’s like, okay, what can you change to get better? I think my goal was just to be a good golfer and I feel like I’m on my way to doing that.
“I’m a complete golfer as far as I’m concerned, and I hope I can continue that way.”
Rahm: “People can stop telling me it was a bad year!”
Jon Rahm’s double win over England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden’s Alex Noren was his third in six years at Jumeirah Golf Estates, following victories in 2017 and 2019, his victory moved the Spaniard to third on the all-time list.
Rahm’s victory follows his success at the Acciona Open de Espana in October and the Mexico Open victory on the PGA Tour earlier in the campaign, the former US Open champion is proud of his achievements in 2022.
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Jon Rahm became the first man to win three World Tour Championships and five Rolex Series Events after shooting a 67 to finish 20 under par.
“Because of Covid-19, I didn’t get the chance to defend my 2019 title and even though I decided not to come last year, I came with the thought that no one has beaten me in the last two years, so they are going to beat me again,” Rahm said. “He came in with that confidence.
“You know, a lot of similarities to the past. The last time I won here I was 15 years old, I played nine games, I shot 20 under to win. I love this course and this course loves me. I believe this is the third of many.
“I hope people can stop telling me it was a bad year. Three world wins and three wins on three different continents. Yes, it wasn’t a great race but it’s still a great season.”
