Rory McIlroy has been given a major accolade while tennis hero Andy Murray has revealed that he would interested in taking on a new role in the world of golf
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
07:30, 15 Nov 2025
Rory McIlroy has enjoyed a stellar year in 2025(Image: David Cannon, Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy has had a standout year in 2025. The Northern Irishman, 36, joined an elite group of players by completing a career Grand Slam with his Masters victory in April.
Now, McIlroy is setting his sights on retaining his title at the DP World Tour Championship this week, aiming for a fourth consecutive Race to Dubai win – which would be his seventh overall.
In a surprising twist, the DP World Tour announced on the eve of the season-ending Championships that the Rory McIlroy Award will be given to the tour member who performs the best across all four Major Championships in a season. However, the golf hero himself is not eligible to win his own award.
In other news, tennis legend Andy Murray has expressed his desire to become a caddie as he continues his venture into professional golf.
Rory McIlroy’s award ban
On the topic of the Rory McIlroy Award, McIlroy himself explained why he’s not in the running to win it: “It would be cool but I am ineligible for it. I thought it would be better if I wasn’t. I think it was a decision made by all of us. We thought it was best if I would be ineligible for it.”
McIlroy is the fifth player to have an award named after him on the DP World Tour, a recognition of his on-course achievements.
“It’s a huge honour,” he added. “In 2008, it was the Sir Henry Cotton Award (Rookie of the Year) I was trying to get to. Then trying to win Harry Vardon (Race to Dubai winner) trophies and Seve Ballesteros (Players’ Player of the Year) awards.
Rory McIlroy has had an award named after him(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
“And now there’s obviously going to be an award under my name which is very, very cool, to recognise the best DP World Tour player, their performance in the four major championships over the course of the year. It’s an amazing honour, and I’m looking forward to next year when the majors are over and being able to hand it to whoever the deserving winner is.”
McIlroy disclosed that DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings first approached him about the accolade following his maiden victory at Augusta this year.
He said: “When Guy approached us about it after the Masters, my first inclination was it’s a bit soon, a bit early,” he said. “And the more I thought about it, I’m not going to be around forever playing.
“So it will still be amazing to have any name, after my playing days, my name associated with this tour, and hopefully have an award named after me, that means something to future generations that they want to strive towards to achieve.
“As I said, an amazing honour to have my name up there along with Harry Vardon and Sir Henry Cotton and Seve Ballesteros and John Jacobs (PGA Coaching Award), that’s very special.”
Andy Murray’s job offer
Double Wimbledon champion Murray, 38, has been sharpening his golf skills recently. The 2012 US Open winner currently holds a handicap of two but is aiming to bring it down to scratch.
The Scottish legend even told journalists at the BMW PGA Championship in September that he’d relish the opportunity to test himself against top players in regional qualifying for The Open.
He said: “I don’t have ambitions of playing in The Open. I want to try and play in like the regional qualifying at some stage.
Andy Murray has said he would like to become a caddie(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
“A couple of my friends have done it, and it would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you’re able to do that. I would do it, but I certainly don’t think I would have any chance of qualifying for The Open.”
Whilst competing at The Open might remain a distant fantasy, Murray has floated the possibility of pursuing a full-time caddying career.
During an appearance on The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Murray said: “I’m considering becoming a golf caddie, hopefully for a professional golfer at some stage,” he said. “I love golf and if you love that sport then I think it would be a great job.
“If you were working with a top golfer, being there when they’re having a great moment on the course and feeling like you can help a little bit with decisions or things like that, I think it would be a brilliant job.”
Regarding his ideal partner, he added: “Dream pro to caddie for would be Robert MacIntyre,” he added. “I mean that’s like a dream. Imagine carrying Robert MacIntyre’s bag when he wins The Open or something like that. That would be a dream job.”
