It has been quite the year for Rory McIlroy and despite being beaten to the DP World Tour Championship title by Matt Fitzpatrick, the emotion of his achievements in 2025 came spilling out on Sunday.

Completing the Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April was the highlight of four victories that included Pebble Beach in February, the prestigious Players Championship in March and the Irish Open in September.

There was also a starring role in helping Europe win a first away Ryder Cup in the United States since 2012.

And he has ended the season by clinching a seventh Race to Dubai title – eclipsing Seve Ballesteros’ tally of six and leaving him one behind Colin Montgomerie’s record of winning the European tour’s season-long race eight times.

“I had a conversation with Carmen [Ballesteros’ former wife] before I went out to play and she told me how proud he would have been,” said an emotional McIlroy on Sky Sports, his voice choking up as he held back the tears.

“He means so much to this Tour and the European Ryder Cup team. We rally so much around his spirit, his quotes and everything he meant for European golf.

“To surpass him this year, I did not get this far in my dream.”

And on chasing Montgomerie’s record, he added: “I want it. Of course I do.

“I was the first European to win the Grand Slam and I would love to be the European with the most wins in terms of the season-long races.”