Overview
- Rory McIlroy ended an 11-year major drought by winning the Masters in April to complete the career Grand Slam and later helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in New York.
- He sealed a seventh Race to Dubai/Order of Merit on Nov. 16, finishing runner-up to Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the DP World Tour Championship.
- The season-long title was his fourth in a row and moved him to within one of Colin Montgomerie’s record eight.
- Montgomerie publicly called McIlroy “the best European player ever” and said he would be honored to present the trophy if McIlroy surpasses his mark.
- Offering context on eras, Montgomerie noted many of his prime rivals stayed on the European Tour, whereas many of McIlroy’s contemporaries compete primarily in the U.S.; separately, Nick Faldo said winning another major could be “tough.”