Nov 14,2024
Rory McIlroy has awarded himself a 'D' grade for the 2024 season ahead of the final event of this year's DP World Tour schedule, admitting that the pain of missing out on a major championship victory at Pinehurst still "stings".
Thriston Lawrence is the only player who can prevent McIlroy topping the money list for the third year running by winning the DP World Tour Championship, and even that will not be enough if McIlroy finishes 11th or better in the 50-man field in Dubai.
This would see McIlroy claim the Harry Vardon Trophy for a sixth time - having previously won in 2012, 2014 and 2015 - and rising to joint-second on the all-time roll of honour with Seve Ballesteros, who won six Order of Merit titles between 1976 and 1991. In the process, he would inch closer to Colin Montgomerie's record of eight, which included seven on the trot between 1993 and 1999.
It would also mark the 10th time the Vardon Trophy was claimed by an Irish golfer, previous winners including Padraig Harrington in 2006, Ronan Rafferty in 1989 and Christy O'Connor Snr, who won it back to back in 1961 and 1962.
Equalling the tally of Ballesteros would be a fitting reward for a season which has seen McIlroy win three times and record nine other top 10s, but missing out on an overdue fifth major title in June remains a painful memory.
Early in the back nine on Sunday, McIlroy looked set to win his first major since 2014 at Pinehurst, but bogeyed three of the last four holes to finish a shot behind Bryson DeChambeau. While the Holywood man has had several near-misses in his decade-long major drought, that weekend in North Carolina was unquestionably the most excruciating.
"Incredibly consistent again," McIlroy said, when asked to sum up his season. "I've been really proud of that over the last year. But then at the same time, thinking about the ones that got away.
"I should be sitting up here with a fifth major title and I'm not. That stings and it's something I've had to come to terms with.
"But I've got plenty more opportunities in the future. I've really tried to focus on the positives of this year, consistently performing at the highest level.
"Still having three wins with an opportunity to have a fourth here this week to win another Race to Dubai title.
"Did I achieve every goal I set myself this year? Probably not. But I still consider it a successful season.
"You've got two guys at the top of the world rankings, Xander (Schauffele) winning two majors, Scottie (Scheffler) winning a Masters and a Players (Championship) and the Olympics. They certainly separated themselves from the pack this year.
"I'm obviously very aware of that. It only makes me more motivated to try and emulate what they did this year."
Asked to grade his season, McIlroy struck a more modest note.
"Eh, it would be a pass. It wouldn't be a pass with flying colours. Probably a 'D'."
McIlroy's stated goal is to become the most successful European player of all time, which – purely in terms of major championship victories – would mean surpassing Harry Vardon's total of seven.
Nick Faldo is next on the list with six majors and Ballesteros won five, although McIlroy acknowledges the charismatic Spaniard played an immeasurable part in the growth of European golf.
"I am a little too young to remember a lot of Seve’s career and things that he did," the 35-year-old said.
"Seve is almost like a, not a mythical character to me, but was just a little bit before my time.
"But he was my dad’s favourite player and [with] the immense impact he had on European golf from a Ryder Cup perspective and from what he did for the European Tour, he means a lot to the overall game of golf.
"So to draw level with him and to have a career that can somewhat stack up against his is very cool."
Additional reporting: PA
