Rory McIlroy dedicates eighth Race to Dubai title to father Gerry
Rory McIlroy wiped away tears as he dedicated his record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title to his father Gerry, in hospital after a double lung transplant.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
Rory McIlroy's father, Gerry, has been in hospital for two months after a double lung transplant at the end of September, McIlroy said after winning his eighth Race to Dubai title. He said his father was "recovering well" and had told him before the trip: "Go win The Race to Dubai".
Key facts
- Gerry McIlroy had a double lung transplant at the end of September.
- McIlroy said his father has been in hospital for two months and is recovering well.
- McIlroy won his eighth Race to Dubai title, level with Colin Montgomerie.
- He closed with a bogey-free 67 to finish second on 10 under par.
- Tyrrell Hatton won the tournament by five shots and took home $3 million.
What McIlroy said about his father
Rory McIlroy wiped away tears on Sunday as he dedicated his eighth Race to Dubai title to his father, Gerry. Asked about his father's health moments after matching Colin Montgomerie's record, McIlroy said Gerry had been in hospital for two months after "a huge operation", a double lung transplant, at the end of September.
"He's recovering well, thankfully," McIlroy told the DP World Tour. He said he went to Cleveland to see his father before leaving for the Middle East, and that Gerry told him: "Go win The Race to Dubai".
BBC Sport ran a photo of McIlroy celebrating his Masters title defence at Augusta National with Gerry watching on.
How he won the Race to Dubai
McIlroy closed with a bogey-free 67 at the DP World Tour Championship to finish 10 under par, second in the tournament. That was enough to pip Spain's Eugenio Chacarra in a season-long contest that went to the final hole. At one stage on the back nine, a tenth of a point separated them.
It had looked unlikely earlier in the week. Chacarra started with a 533.93-point lead and could guarantee the title by winning the event. After a third-round 72, McIlroy was tied with Chacarra on five under, four behind Tyrrell Hatton, and needed solo fourth or better to have any chance.
Hatton won the tournament by five shots with a closing 66 for a 15-under total of 273, his ninth DP World Tour title. He took $3 million from the $10 million purse, and a separate $6 million was paid to the top 10 in the Race to Dubai standings.
Level with Montgomerie, aiming higher
This is McIlroy's fifth Race to Dubai title in a row, and it draws him level with Montgomerie, who set the record 21 years ago. "Winning eight Order of Merits (Race to Dubai titles) was never in my list of goals growing up," McIlroy said.
He recalled Montgomerie as "a stalwart of the European tour" and said drawing level with him "means the world to me".
Fans around the 18th green at the Earth Course shouted out a target for him, and McIlroy went along with it. Asked how many titles he wanted in the end, he said: "Yeah, double digits." He added: "I'd love to surpass Monty next year and we'll go from there."
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Rory McIlroy's father?
Gerry McIlroy had a double lung transplant at the end of September and has been in hospital for two months, according to his son.
How is Gerry McIlroy now?
Rory McIlroy said: "He's recovering well, thankfully."
Where is Gerry McIlroy being treated?
McIlroy said he went up to Cleveland to see his father before travelling to Dubai.
How many Race to Dubai titles has Rory McIlroy won?
Eight, level with Colin Montgomerie's record, and this was his fifth in a row.
