Rory McIlroy started his final round at the DP World Championship eight shots behind leader Matt Wallace. The Northern Irishman started with an opening par before a two-putt birdie at the par five second. On the third hole McIlroy had 109 yards for his second shot and he nearly put it in the hole for an eagle but settled for a tap in birdie. The Northern Irishman went to three under for the round after holing a great birdie putt at the fifth hole. His tee shot at the par three sixth some how avoided the water but failed to get up and down for a par.
The bogey at the sixth stopped McIlroy’s momentum and his iron play was the weakest part of his game all week. McIlroy had 50 feet for an eagle at the par five seventh which he ended up with a three-putt par after a poor birdie miss. McIlroy’s hopes of having a low final round evaporated after a bogey and not taken advantage of the par five. McIlroy started to get frustrated as he made a bogey on the par four 10th which is a short hole for his length.
Rory McIlroy's year in review
Last week was a bit of a mixed bag for McIlroy some good and little bit rusty. His highlight on the back nine was rolling in a 10 foot putt for birdie. Even though McIlroy didn’t win the DP World Tour Championship he claimed the Race to Dubai title for a fifth time. “It's great. I think it shows my consistency year-to-year”, said McIlroy. The Northern Irishman won twice on the DP World Tour this year in Dubai and Scotland. “So it was nice to finally win one of those in Dubai and follow it up in Scotland, which is probably one of the best finishes I've ever had in a golf tournament”, said McIlroy.
McIlroy earned a bonus pool of six million for winning Race to Dubai. “Yeah, still got a little bit left in the tank. I think I've still got a good eight to ten years left in me”, said Down native. McIlroy has now won five Race to Dubai titles and only three behind Colin Montgomerie. “At least try to get past Seve and then sort of try to get past Monty as well”, said McIlroy. The only thing that escaped McIlroy in 2023 was a major win and he will be looking to end his 10 year drought in 2024. “It's just about trying to be a little more clinical when I get to those weeks where I have chances to win”, said McIlroy.
McIlroy finished in a tie for 22nd and earned $86,625. Shane Lowry missed a par putt at the 18th and settled for a tied 18th finish on 11 under. Lowry earned $99,000 for finishing tied 18th. Tom McKibbin finished on seven under in a tie for 32nd. McKibbin earned $65,000 for finishing in a tie for 32nd.
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