Rory McIlroy wins Seve Ballesteros Award and voted DP World Tour Player of the Year for Race to Dubai 2024 season | Golf New

Rory McIlroy has won the Seve Ballesteros Award for the fourth time after being voted the DP World Tour Player of the Year for the 2024 season.

McIlroy successfully defended his title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and won the DP World Tour Championship during another solid season where he recorded seven top-five finishes in addition to his two wins.

The 35-year-old’s year saw him win the event for Dubai and claim a sixth Harry Vardon trophy, leaving him just two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record eight Order of Merit titles, with McIlroy voted Player of the Year by other DP World Tour members. .

McIlroy won 46% of the vote, with Amgen Irish Open champion Rasmus Højgaard second and Thriston Lawrence third, while Ballesteros’ son Javier presented him with the trophy ahead of his Dubai Desert title defense Classic, live on Sky Sports Golf.

“The Seve Ballesteros Award is special because it’s voted on by your peers,” McIlroy said. “They’re the ones that have been out there on the course with you week in, week out, playing the same golf courses, competing. So getting their vote is very important.

“I told Javier (Ballesteros), that the legacy that his father left not only in European but in world golf will live on forever. Our whole motivation coming together in the Ryder Cup team is Seve and we feel we have an advantage because of that.”

McIlroy finished runner-up at the Dubai Invitational, the US Open, the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship during the season, with McIlroy also finishing in the top five at the Genesis Scottish Open, the Olympics and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“It’s special for me, my brother and sister to get the Player of the Year Award from my dad, and obviously it’s special to present it to Rory,” Javier Ballesteros said. “I think he’s one of the greatest players of all time in world golf.

“I told him when I presented him with the trophy that it was special to see him at home winning his sixth Race to Dubai title and to talk like he did about my dad afterwards. I had a few tears in my eyes watching him.”

The former world No 1 has previously been voted player of the year in 2012, 2014 and 2015, with the award incorporating the former golfer of the year award after the two accolades were combined in 2021 to become a single price.

“It’s special for me, my brother and sister to get the Player of the Year Award from my dad, and obviously it’s special to present it to Rory,” Javier Ballesteros said. “I think he’s one of the greatest players of all time in world golf.

“I told him when I presented him with the trophy that it was special to see him at home winning his sixth Race to Dubai title and to talk like he did about my dad afterwards. I had a few tears in my eyes watching him.”

DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings added: “Rory’s remarkable consistency and success in 2024 is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Seve Ballesteros. To win this award for the fourth time, voted for by his peers , is a reflection of the admiration and respect he has throughout our sport.

“His performances last season, particularly his sixth Race to Dubai title and victories around the world, were nothing short of outstanding. The presentation of the award by Javier Ballesteros in Dubai adds a special significance, bringing the spirit of Seve at this moment.”

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