Rory McIlroy takes Dubai win, 6th title as best in Europe - ESPN

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy ended a tumultuous year packed with emotion on and off the golf course with a pair of trophies and plenty of tears.

McIlroy broke a tie with Rasmus Hojgaard by hitting wedge to a foot for birdie on the 16th hole, and he closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory Sunday in the World Tour Championship. He also captured his sixth title as Europe's No. 1 player.

And then the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland couldn't speak, choked up with emotion as he contemplated the wins, losses and everything else in between this year.

«I've been through a lot this year, professionally and personally,» McIlroy said. «It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I've persevered this year a lot.»

He won four times, twice on the PGA Tour, and tied the late Seve Ballesteros with his sixth title in the Race to Dubai, formerly the Order of Merit. Two more and he can match Colin Montgomerie for the record.

«I've really made it a priority of my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance coming into the end of the year to win the Race to Dubai. I don't see that being any different for the foreseeable future,» McIlroy said. «Going for my seventh next year and try to chase Monty down.»

McIlroy threw away a chance at the U.S. Open by missing two short putts over the last three holes at Pinehurst No. 2, finishing one behind Bryson DeChambeau. He was on the verge of finally winning on home soil until Hojgaard stunned him with a late charge in the Irish Open at Royal Country Down.

In May, McIlroy revealed that he had filed for divorce, and equally stunning was word a month later that the divorce proceedings had been scrapped and they would try to work it out. His wife, Erica, and 4-year-old