Rory McIlroy number 1 in Europe for 5th time

• golf

For the fifth time in his career, and second in a row, Rory McIlroy has secured his title as the number one European golfer. Even before competing in the DP World Tour Championship, the final event of the top continental circuit held from November 16th to 19th in the United Arab Emirates, the Northern Irishman has already won the "Race to Dubai," the DP World Tour's ranking.

The 34-year-old from Holywood has a comfortable lead of 2,083 points over Jon Rahm of Spain, and the DP World Tour Championship will only offer the winner of the tournament a mere 2,000 points. This gap makes it impossible for anyone to catch up to him, and McIlroy is poised to celebrate another record-breaking year.

Rory McIlroy, results

After making an enormous contribution to Europe's victory at the Ryder Cup in Rome, the symbol of European golf continues to accumulate accolades and achievements. In Dubai, he will once again raise the Harry Vardon Trophy to the sky, as he did in 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2022.

The record of Collin Montgomerie, who won the Race to Dubai eight times, including seven in a row between 1993 and 1999, is now within reach.

"Winning the Race to Dubai for the fifth time is a great honor. I am thrilled to achieve this amid an extraordinary year that culminated in winning the Ryder Cup in Rome," McIlroy said.

"I still have a long road ahead, and I aspire for new achievements," reflects McIlroy with a sense of satisfaction and unwavering ambition, as he dreams of greater heights.

He was born in Holywood, Northern Ireland, where he attended Sullivan Upper School. He belongs to the Holywood Golf Club, where he began his first training sessions followed by Michael Bannon, a coach he has maintained to this day.

McIlroy was part of the winning Junior Ryder Cup team in 2004, while in 2005 he became the youngest winner of both Irish tournaments, the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship. Also in 2005, at the North of Ireland Championship, played at The Royal Portrush, he broke the course record with a 61 at the age of 16, a record still unbeaten in 2019 at The Open Championship, played at The Royal Portrush .

In August 2006 he won the stage played at the Le Betulle Golf Club in Biella, Piedmont, of the European Amateur Championship with a score of 274 shots (65-69-72-68), 3 less than the Englishman Lewton Stephen.