Before a shot was even hit on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates Rory already had secured his fifth Harry Vardon Trophy which is awarded to the player who tops the season-long order of merit on the DP World Tour. Following the conclusion of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa no one could catch him with just 2,000 points available to the winner of the Tour Championship in Dubai.
This week Rory, who was using a new driver, finished 10-under par with rounds of 71-72-65-70.
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.
He achieved this feat by being one of, if not, the most consistent player on the planet. Since he finished tied-seventh at the PGA Championship in May Rory, only finished outside of the top 10 twice, with three of his top 10’s coming in the Major Championships, including a runner up finish at the US Open. Rory has now joined the exclusive list of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson all of whom have at least seven top 10’s in all four Major Championships.
McIlroy played 34 rounds on the DP World Tour in 2023 with a stroke average of 68.88, which is only 0.13 higher than last year which was the best since records began. 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 Rory has won the Harry Vardon Trophy, following his titles in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2022
- Rory 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
- Rory joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson as a player with at least seven top 10 finishes in all four Major Championships
- Rory’s 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
- He 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
