Rory McIlroy seeking in Dubai for his sixth crown in Racing in Dubai. And the British conceded that the reach Jumeirah GE of the emirate that does not exist a fifth Grand Slam “it stings”, but he is determined to win a sixth crown in once Order of Merit of the European Tour equivalent to the legendary Seve Ballesteros, Best European Golfer in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1988 and 1991.
McIlroy, 35, enjoys a comfortable lead of 1,785.02 points over South African Thriston Lawrence before the final event of the 2024 season, the DP World Tour Championshipat Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Northern Irishman needs to finish in the top ten on the Earth Course to ensure he lifts the Harry Vardon trophy for the sixth time, which would tie him with idol Ballesteros. “It’s always nice for me to start and end the year here in Dubai. It’s what I’ve done most of my career. I’ve had a lot of success in this area,” said the four-time Grand Slam winner.
“It’s winning again at the Emirates this year and winning this tournament a couple of times, hopefully the Race to Dubai for the sixth time on Sunday if I can keep playing like I played last week in Abu Dhabi,” McIlroy said.
“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since we first came here in 2009. I still have to go out and play well depending on what Thriston does, which gives me a little extra motivation to stay more focused this week” he added.
On the prospect of matching Ballesteros’ six Race to Dubai titles, McIlroy said: “I guess I’m too young to remember a lot of things about Seve’s career and what he did. Seve was my dad’s favorite player. He had a huge impact on European golf from the Ryder Cup and what he did for the European Tour, it means a lot to golf in general, but specifically in this part of the world and on this Tour I think the golf that Seve plays is the attracted him. That cloak-and-dagger game, almost like Houdini’s, delivering impossible blows and, in difficult situations, successfully getting out of them,” he highlighted.
“I think a lot of people are attracted to Seve. He’s an artist. He plays with a style, it’s a bit like Arnold Palmer he is new to the United States. Seve is to European golf what Arnold Palmer is to American golf, and I think that’s what attracted a lot of people. So to be on par with him and have a career that compares to his is great,” added Rory.
McIlroy is up to 11 top 5s in the 2024 season, but a fifth major is still forbidden fruit for the man from Hollywood. It’s been 10 years since he won the last four grams: the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. However, it is very close to US Open in June, where three bogeys in the final round left the door wide open Bryson DeChambeau to capture his second Grand Slam.
The 17-time DP World Tour winner insists he has digested his performance at Pinehurst over time and that defeat has given him extra motivation to press on with the attempt next season after two players who finished first in him in the world ranking g – Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele – will combine to win the other three Grand Slams of the year and the Olympic tournament in Paris 2024.
“I could be sitting here with a fifth major and I’m not. That hurts me and it’s something I have to accept, but at the same time I think I have many more opportunities in the future. I’ve tried to focus on the positive aspects of this year, with my continued performance at the highest level I still have three wins and the chance to get a fourth this week, to win another Race to Dubai title this year?
Source: La Verdad
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