Rory McIlroy: Winner of the Race to Dubai, ‘rues’ his big miss at the US Open but content with the year.
Rory McIlroy says he would rate his season “seven out of 10” but “rues” missing out on an elusive fifth major at the US Open.
The Northern Irishman, 34, finished one shot behind winner Wyndham Clark in Los Angeles in June.
He says he will not let that detract from a “really consistent, solid year”.
“I had the two wins. I had my best-ever Ryder Cup, which feels like a win to me, especially coming off the back of Whistling Straits,” McIlroy said.
The County Down man was speaking before news emerged of his surprise decision to resign from the PGA Tour board.
As well as his strong challenge at the US Open, McIlroy triumphed at the Dubai Desert Classic and Scottish Open in July and was integral to Europe’s success in September’s Ryder Cup in Rome.
McIlroy secures fifth Race to Dubai title
He also claimed a fifth Race to Dubai title to move behind Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie in the number of order of merits attained.
“I’ve been happy with the year,” McIlroy said, speaking before the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
“If I looked back on one thing, I’ll rue that miss at LA. I had a great opportunity there to pick up another major and I didn’t.
“I’m still not going to let that take away from the fact that it’s been another really consistent, solid year with some really good performances.
“I’m feeling like my game is in as good shape as it has ever been throughout my, whatever it is, 16, 17-year career. I’m happy with that and will try to finish this year off on a high and play well this week and reset and get ready for 2024.”
McIlroy heads into the final event of the season after clinching the Race to Dubai for the fifth time on Sunday despite not hitting a ball.
Max Homa’s win, coupled with lowly finishes for nearest challengers Jon Rahm and Adrian Meronk, meant McIlroy cannot be caught at the final European event of the year.
McIlroy is now one behind Ballesteros and three behind Montgomerie in the number of Order of Merits attained, although the Northern Irishman is the first player to win five titles since the Race to Dubai format was introduced in 2009.
“In fairness, I probably would have liked to have done it another way,” McIlroy added.
“I’ve played well when I’ve came back over to the DP World Tour this year and won two Rolex Series events.
“I had some other really high finishes in tournaments that give a lot of points, and it’s really nice to have my name on the Harry Vardon Trophy for the fifth time and just be one behind Seve and still a few behind Monty
“You’re talking about the greats of the European game, and to be up alongside them is really… if someone had told 18-year-old Rory when I was making my professional debut in 2007 that I would have won five order of merits up to this point, I wouldn’t have believed them.
I certainly don’t take it for granted, and you know, it shows the consistency that I’ve played with over the last few years that even though I feel like I’ve had a good year, I don’t feel like I’ve had a great year, but I can still go ahead and achieve things like this.”
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