Rory McIlroy says he feels he is “as complete a golfer” as he has ever been after finishing the season as Europe’s No 1 for a fourth time.
A decade on from winning the Race to Dubai for the first time at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the 33-year-old world No 1 clinched the crown again.
Unlike back then, when he beat Justin Rose by two strokes to win the DP World Tour Championship, he did not claim a monopoly of the stash on offer at the Earth Course.
This time around, Jon Rahm beat him to the season-ending tournament title. The Spaniard closed with a five-under-par round of 67 to get to 20-under for the tournament, two shots clear of Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Noren.
McIlroy’s final round of 68 was enough for 16-under and fourth place. It also kept at bay his DP World Tour rankings rivals. Ryan Fox was the eventual runner up, with Rahm third, and Matt Fitzpatrick fourth.
“One of the things I'm really proud of over the last few years is I don't feel I have to rely on one aspect of my game,” McIlroy said.
“I think if my driving isn't there, then my putter bails me out. If my putter isn't there, my iron play bails me out.
“I feel like when you get to this level, it's about how can you make those incremental improvements to get better.
“I think my goal has been to just become a more complete golfer, and I feel like I'm on the journey to doing that.
“I'm as complete a golfer as I feel like I've ever been, and hopefully I can continue on that path.”
McIlroy had no tournament wins in his run to the top of the DP World Tour rankings, but his season was remarkable for its consistency.
Of the 10 competitions played on tour, the Northern Irishman had a lowest placing of 12th, at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links in January. After that, his finishes were 3rd, 2nd, 8th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 4th and 4th.
“I think what set the foundation for this was my performance in majors and the bigger events on this tour,” he said.
“It feels funny winning without having an official win on this tour this year, but I think that just speaks to the consistency levels I have played with for the past few months.”
The Order of Merit win cemented McIlroy’s status as golf’s leading player, having earlier in the season reclaimed the world No 1 spot and won the FedEx Cup.
How to improve on such excellence next year? His answer is well-rehearsed and unequivocal.
“I probably sound like a broken record, but it has been eight years since I have won a major,” he said.
“I feel like I have done everything there is to do in the game since then. I have won three FedEx Cups since winning my last Race to Dubai. I have done a ton of stuff.
“I have been really encouraged this year with how I have played the majors. That is something to really build on for next year.
“[Winning the DP World Tour rankings and FedEx double] is an amazing achievement. It is very cool.”
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
Major matches on Manic Monday
Andy Murray (GBR) v Benoit Paire (FRA)
Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) v Roger Federer (SUI)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Gilles Muller (LUX)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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