Rory McIlroy started the week at number 1 in the Race to Dubai rankings with only South African Thriston Lawrence in a position to deny him a sixth crown. Lawrence was never in contention however while McIlroy needed at worse to finish in 12th place at the DP World Tour Championship to win the season-long Race.

The Northern Irishman entered the final round in a three-way tie for the lead and bogeyed the first hole but made four consecutive birdies from the second. Two more birdies and two bogeys saw him close with a 3-under 69 to reach 15-under and win by two shots. He now matches Seve Ballesteros with six Race to Dubai titles, two behind Colin Montgomerie.

“It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally, personally and it feels like a fitting end to 2024,” said McIlroy.

“I’ve persevered a lot this year, had close calls and couldn’t get it done. So to be able to get over the line. I’m really pleased with the way I finished and thankfully I hung on on a tough day and got it done.

“It’s been a long year, my 27th tournament, which is a lot to me. Looking forward to a little bit of downtime.

“I have a lot of friends and my family here in Dubai so I’m sure we’ll have a good night tonight.”

Dane Rasmus Højgaard whose brother Nicolai won the event last year also started with a bogey but made only two pars for a 71 to finish runner-up at 13-under.

France’s Antoine Rozner who along with Højgaard and McIlroy shared the overnight lead opened with a birdie to take the outright lead but made just two more birdies as well as two bogeys and a double bogey at the par-4 6th to close with a 73 and a share of third place at 11-under.

Australia’s Adam Scott stayed bogey-free and along with Ireland’s Shane Lowry closed with a 68 for a share of third place.

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