Rory McIlroy will probably have three million reasons to be more positive about his 2024 season on Sunday.
The world no.3 looks all-but certain to win a sixth Race to Dubai crown when the DP World Tour Championship concludes.
3
McIlroy is well-poised to win the Race to Dubai title once againCredit: Getty
Victory in the European circuit’s season-long race comes with a $3million prize.
It would also put McIlroy joint-second on the all-time wins list, alongside golf icon Seve Ballesteros, back when the circuit was called the European Tour and the race was known as the Order of Merit.
The Northern Irishman would find himself just two behind Colin Montgomerie in his bid to go down as the greatest golfer in European history.
Speaking recently, McIlroy said: “I pride myself – I’m a European player – I would like to go down as the most successful European of all time.
READ MORE ON RORY MCILROY
“Obviously Race to Dubai wins would count to that but also major championships and hopefully I’ve got a few more Ryder Cups ahead of me as well.
“So that’s something that I would like to, I think that is a goal that’s quite attainable over the next ten years.”
But there is one man who can stop him.
And it is the same man who nearly denied Xander Schauffele at The Open Championship in July.
Thriston Lawrence, the world no.47, has another chance to shock the world at the DP World Tour Championship this week.
The Race to Dubai is now officially a two-horse race – but the South African still has an almighty mountain to climb.
3
Lawrence can pull of an incredible upset this weekendCredit: Getty
Lawrence is 1,785.02 points behind McIlroy in the standings, meaning only a victory in Dubai would be enough to affect the outcome.
Even if Lawrence comes up clutch, McIlroy is guaranteed to finish top of the season-long standings by securing solo 11th or better at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“It’s nice to have a chance,” Lawrence said in his pre-tournament press conference.
“It’s going to take a lot, but just incredible to have an opportunity. I’m very grateful just to be inside the top 50 to be able to compete this week.
“It has been an unbelievable year. Rory [McIlroy] has been an idol for me since growing up as a youngster and being able to clinch it this week would be the cherry on the cake for myself.
“It would mean the world – being the best golfer on the European Tour over the year is an unbelievable achievement.
3
McIlroy is chasing the Race to Dubai title again but one man can stop himCredit: Getty
“Sitting here right now, I’ve achieved a lot of things that I’ve wanted to. But to get this trophy behind me would be just unbelievable.”
Lawrence has five runner-up finishes on the DP World Tour this season, including at the BMW PGA Championship.
But neither of those will hurt as much as McIlroy’s second-place finish at the US Open in June.
The 35-year-old missed two putts inside four feet over the final two holes, losing to eventual-winner Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke.
Speaking before his 2024 season comes to a close, McIlroy admitted the events of Pinehurst still haunt him, before giving his overall campaigh a ‘B’ grade.
The Northern Irishman said: “[I’ve been] incredibly consistent again. I’ve been really proud of that over the last few years.
Rory McIlroy celebrates wildly after pipping Gareth Bale in wiping out drone with stunning shot
“But then, at the same time, thinking about the ones that got away. I should be sitting up here with a fifth major title, but I’m not.
“So that stings – and that’s something that I’ve had to come to terms with.
“At the same time, I’ve got plenty more opportunities in the future.”
McIlroy added: “It would be a pass, not a pass with flying colours. Probably a ‘B’.”
