Rory McIlroy has secured his sixth Race to Dubai title after Thriston Lawrence's performance at the DP World Tour Championship fell short. The South African was the only player who had a chance to overtake McIlroy for the title, but he finished in the midfield, allowing McIlroy to clinch the top spot in the season rankings. To achieve this milestone, McIlroy only needed to finish in the top 11 at the Jumeirah Golf Estates. With Lawrence unable to secure a victory in Dubai, McIlroy's position was solidified. This latest triumph places him level with the legendary Seve Ballesteros on the all-time list for Race to Dubai titles.

Rory McIlroy has expressed that the memory of his failure to secure the US Open title still "stings," following his near miss for a long-awaited fifth major championship in June. The Northern Irish golfer was in a strong position at Pinehurst but faltered down the stretch, bogeying three of the last four holes and ultimately finishing just one shot behind Bryson DeChambeau. Reflecting on his season, McIlroy noted, “I’ve been incredibly consistent again, and I take pride in that over the past few years. However, it’s hard not to think about the opportunities I missed. I could easily be sitting here with a fifth major title, but that’s not the case.” As he looks ahead, McIlroy aims to cap off what he considers a "successful" season by competing for the Race to Dubai title.