The DP World Tour has added another title to its honours list. It unveiled the Rory McIlroy Award to celebrate the player who delivers the strongest performances across golf’s four Major Championships in a season. It was introduced in recognition of McIlroy’s historic Career Grand Slam. The award will debut in 2026 and be the benchmark for exceptional play on golf’s biggest stages.
The award will be given to the DP World Tour member who earns the most cumulative Race to Dubai points for the Masters Tournament, US PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open. The new trophy is a nod to McIlroy becoming the sixth golfer in the history of elite professional golf to complete the set. Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods are the only other players to achieve the feat.
McIlroy completed his Grand Slam in April 2025, claiming a Masters victory at Augusta National. The Northern Irishman prevailed in a playoff against Justin Rose, adding the Green Jacket to the US Open he won in 2011, his PGA Championship titles in 2012 and 2014, and his 2014 Open Championship win. The emotional moment in April marked his career milestone and also started discussions in the sport about how to recognise such a momentous achievement.
The answer to these discussions has finally come and was unveiled during the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. This event is the last of the 2025 season, and McIlroy was chasing a seventh Race to Dubai title.
The award stands alongside other honours inspired by icons of European golf, like Sir Henry Cotton, Jon Jacobs, Seve Ballesteros, and Harry Vardon. It is continuing a proud tradition of celebrating the game’s legends and inspiring future generations to work hard for their goals.
With the new accolade, the tour has shone a spotlight on the unpredictability and drama that Major Championships represent. Golf fans are likely to follow players eligible for the award closely during the future Majors season. The competitive format adds another level to those who enjoy tracking the performance of the world’s top golfers.
Betting markets are also likely to respond, and options available to fans exploring golf betting may grow. For example, as EsportsInsider suggests, accessing the top non-GAMSTOP betting platforms will provide broader markets and more attractive odds formats for those interested in predicting outcomes across Majors. These platforms benefit fans who want more flexible options when placing bets on the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
McIlroy expressed his pride and gratitude at the honour of having the award named after him. “To have something named after you, that will be presented to future generations of players, is a huge honour and it is very humbling,” he said. “It certainly means a lot to me because the DP World Tour was where I started my career. I’ve always loved playing on it and, of course, representing Europe and the Tour in the Ryder Cup.”
McIlroy also thought about what the award represents beyond his own legacy. “I’m incredibly proud to be the first European to achieve the Career Grand Slam. The Majors represent the pinnacle of our sport, and I hope my success can inspire other DP World Tour members to chase and achieve their own dreams for years to come, he said. “I look forward to seeing who becomes the first recipient of this new award in 2026, and it will be another proud moment for me personally to present the trophy to them.” McIlroy will not be eligible to receive the award.
DP World Tour Chief Executive Guy Kinnings also expressed his gratefulness for McIlroy’s influence, saying, “Whilst Rory will no doubt go on to achieve many more great things during his career, as a Tour we wanted to commemorate his historic achievement this year of becoming the first European winner of the Career Grand Slam.”
He added that McIlroy had made an “immense contribution” to both the Tour and the sport of golf, and that he is a wonderful ambassador for the sport.
