An emotional Rory McIlroy thanked wife Erica for “sticking by me” after admitting that 2024 had been the toughest year of his career. McIlroy triumphed at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai to wrap up a sixth Order of Merit title in a winning finish to his campaign.

After a year fraught with personal and professional turbulence, Rory McIlroy ended 2024 in his much-frequented happy place: the winner’s circle.

His fourth worldwide win of the season resulted in McIlroy being crowned as Race to Dubai champion for the sixth time.