CARLSBAD, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2023) – Before a shot was even hit on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates Rory McIlroy already had secured his fifth Race to Dubai title, following the conclusion of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa last week. Led by his TP5x golf ball, McIlroy had enough points to where no player in the field at the DP World Tour Championship could catch him.
McIlroy claimed the title in just nine DP World Tour starts this season which included two Rolex Series victories at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Genesis Scottish Open, and in doing so, becomes the first player in the Race to Dubai era to secure the title before the final event.
This week McIlroy, who was using a new driver, finished 10-under par with rounds of 71-72-65-70.
McIlroy had a stroke average of 68.88 on the DP World Tour in 2023, which is only 0.13 higher than his record-setting year in 2022. He also ranked first in putts per GIR (1.69) and average putts per round (27.68), leading to an average of 4.65 birdies per round (also ranked tied first).
Rory McIlroy Need to Know
- This is the fifth time McIroy has won the Harry Vardon Trophy, following his titles in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2022
- He becomes the first player ever to win the title before the final event
- McIlroy won twice on the DP World Tour this season, both Rolex Series events, and has a total 16 DP World Tour victories
- He joined Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson as a player with at least seven top 10 finishes in all four Major Championships
- His stroke average on the DP World Tour this season is 68.88, 0.13 higher than last season which was the best since records began
- McIlroy has only finished outside the top 10 twice since the PGA Championship in May and is a combined 135-under-par since then
Rory McIlroy WITB
- Qi10 LS 9.0 driver
- Stealth 2 Plus 15.0 3-wood
- Stealth Plus 19.0 5-wood
- P760 4-iron
- Rors Proto 5-9 irons
- MG4 46° SB, 50° SB, 54° SB, 60° LB
- Spider X Hydro Blast
- TP5x golf ball
