Probably the most tumultuous 12 months in Rory McIlroy’s profession got here to an in depth with blissful tears.
He gained the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai and took residence a sixth Order of Advantage title, matching the late, nice Seve Ballesteros. So when requested about this accomplishment after his spherical, McIlroy may barely compose himself, realizing that his identify will endlessly be linked with the most effective and most spirited European gamers ever.
“I feel everybody is aware of what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup gamers,” McIlroy mentioned, preventing again tears.
“European Ryder Cup locker room, all we’ve are quotes of Seve. We had a altering room with Seve’s shirt from ‘95, the final Ryder Cup he performed. He means a lot to European golf, and for me to be talked about in the identical breath, I’m very proud.”
McIlroy then expanded upon why he grew to become so emotional in his press convention.
“I feel simply the mix of the Seve factor plus lastly getting over the road in what’s felt like a very long time, I feel the emotion of all of it simply type of hit me. Yeah, that’s why I needed to compose myself,” McIlroy mentioned.
“This can be a large day for me. To finish 2024 like this implies so much—it actually does. I can benefit from the little little bit of off time that you’ve got now, and I’m actually trying ahead to 2025.”
The Northern Irishman gained 4 instances in 2024, however his final victory got here in Might on the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte. Since then, all McIlroy has skilled is heartbreak, none extra vital than what occurred at Pinehurst No. 2, the place he missed two quick putts over the ultimate three holes to lose the U.S. Open to Bryson DeChambeau by a stroke. Different shut calls at The Olympics, Royal County Down, and Wentworth adopted go well with, as McIlroy couldn’t recover from the hump.
“I do know that my 2024 goes to be outlined, not less than by others, by the tournaments that I didn’t win as a lot because the tournaments that I did,” McIlroy added.
“So, I feel I’d have been depressing for just a few weeks if I had not gained right this moment. It will have simply added to the checklist of ones I felt I let get away, and for one to not get away and recover from the road and be the ultimate occasion of the 12 months, it feels good.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Remember to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.