Rory McIlroy capped an incredible season by claiming his fourth DP World Tour order of merit title - as Jon Rahm sealed a magnificent victory at the season-finale in Dubai.
Rahm held off an elite European challenge from McIlroy, Alex Noren and Tyrell Hatton to secure a record third DP World Tour Championship victory at Jumeriah Golf Estates. The Spaniard was unusually inaccurate off the tee but relied on his near-flawless short game to fire a closing round 67 and finish 20 under, two shots ahead of valiant chasers Noren and Hatton.
This week in Dubai began with Rahm and McIlroy sharing completely contrasting views on the new world rankings system that meant a 50-strong world class field was competing for less points than the simultaneous RSM Classic on the PGA Tour. Rahm opposed the controversial changes that were part-engineered by McIlroy.
But there were only kind words shared between the standard-setting duo on the 18th green ceremony at the Earth Course, ironically designed by LIV Golf firebrand Greg Norman, who has been the chief disruptor in a tumultuous year for the sport and its status quo.
And despite Rahm's brilliance, McIlroy ended the season as world no.1, securing his fourth Harry Vardon Trophy for finishing top of the season-long DP World Tour rankings. The Northern Irishman created another piece of history with his first order of merit win on the formerly known European Tour in seven years, easily beating New Zealand's Ryan Fox to top the rankings.
McIlroy became only the second player to ever win the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup and finish top of the DP World Tour standings in the same season. It's been a year underpinned by remarkable consistency, and McIlroy should not dwell on near misses in the majors after once again cementing his status as the best player in the world.
McIlroy expressed his pride after picking up the $2million (£1.7m) bonus for winning the overall rankings race. “It means a lot,” he told Sky Sports. “It has been seven years since I’ve last done it. My fourth one, but it’s been a while; I’ve won three FedEx Cups since the last time I won.
“I was a model of consistency the whole way through the year, a lot of top finishes. I think my worst finish of the European Tour events I played this year was 12th at the start of the year in Abu Dhabi.
“Just a really consistent season, kept putting in good performances. It would have been nice to get one win in there at the end of the year here, but Jon obviously played an incredible tournament and fully deserved it. I’m really proud of my year and excited for 2023.”
