Big year: Rory McIlroy
(Picture: Getty Images)Rory McIlroy has targeted ending his eight-year major hoodoo next season after topping the European rankings following one of the best season’s of his career.
The world No1 could not overhaul Jon Rahm, who won the DP World Tour Championship title in Dubai on Sunday by two strokes from Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Noren, with McIlroy in a share for fourth.
Despite a stunning 2022, McIlroy has not won a Major since his fourth at the US PGA in 2014.
Asked about his No1 target next season, the 33-year-old said after topping the DP World Tour rankings: “To win another major. Look, I took seven years to win another one of these and it’s eight years since I won a major. Let’s see if I can break that drought as well.
“I probably sound like a broken record but it’s been eight years since I won a major. I feel like I’ve done everything else since then so all I can do is keep my head down, work hard and play the way I have been playing.
“I’ve been really encouraged with how I’ve played this year in the majors and that’s something to really build on for next year.”
McIlroy did not finish lower than eighth in the four majors of this season, his best placing runner-up at the Masters back in April.
Added to that, he enjoyed wins at the Canadian Open, the Tour Championship and last month’s CJ Cup to cement his status as the world’s leading golfer as well as winning the lucrative FedEx Cup standings.
“I’ve been able to win this tour’s rankings and finish the year as world No1,” he said. “But to do it in America as well, it’s very cool. I’m 33 and my body is in the best shape it’s ever been. And I’m as complete a golfer as I feel like I’ve ever been.
“I don’t think I have played as consistently in my entire career as I’m doing right now. It’s been a fantastic year on both sides of the pond. Hopefully I can continue on that path.”
