As Rory McIlroy was winging his way to New York and the ‘Big Apple, golf’s top-ranked player can be rightfully proud of a huge career bite he’s taken this season.
Despite ending his seventh full season with a disappointing share of 15th in the defence of his Australian Open title McIlroy was clearly the most dominate player of season 2014.
McIlroy collected five victories in capturing the last two Majors, a first WGC title and the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth.
There was a second Race to Dubai title in three years while he’s already collected a number of awards including PGA Tour ‘Player of the Year’ and with a truck load of accolades still to follow and among them European Tour ‘Player of the Year’ to be announced on December 16.
Rory McIlroy becomes an Open Champion in 2014. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
As well, McIlroy is staring at the Association of Golf Writers (Europe) ‘Player of the Year’ title also for a second occasion in three years plus BBC ‘Sports Personality of the Year’.
In season 2014 McIlroy also returned to Number One in the world and along with also competing in a third successful European Ryder Cup team.
McIlroy finished first on both the European Tour and PGA Tour in winning the coveted ‘Stroke Average’ title and in the process earned Euro 7.149m earnings alone in Europe to take his career earnings on the European Tour to just a few Euro under Euro 24m.
And while he was naturally downbeat in walking from the final green at the Australian Club in Sydney on Sunday, McIlroy could still hold his head extremely high.
“I’m not going to let what happened this week ruin the best year I’ve had,” he said.
“I’ve won two of the four Majors when winning one Major in a year would delight the majority of golfers so that is very pleasing.
Rory McIlroy breaks through the Euro 20m prize winning barrier with his victory in the WGC – Bridgstone Invitational. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“Then in terms of my ball‑striking, this season I’ve driven it so much better, which is a huge part of my game.
“When I drive it well, you know, I can take advantage of most golf courses that we play and give myself shorter irons into greens and more opportunities for birdies.
“But I think my mid‑range putting, or putting from like, when you don’t quite hit a very good iron shot and you leave yourself 25 feet, I’ve been very good from that range this year, which I think has helped.
“As well, my bad shots overall this year were not as bad as they were say a year ago, and instead of it going ten yards off the fairway, it might be in the semi‑rough or whatever.
“So just the margin for error has been sort of tightened a little bit and it means that I’m hitting more shots from the fairways and giving myself more chances for birdies and shooting better scores because of it.
The first photo of Rory McIlroy with the Claret Jub and the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy organised by www.golffile. ie Eoin Clarke and Bernie McGuire.
“Also, I learned so much from what I went through in 2013 and I feel like I came through this year stronger and wiser, and I can go into 15 in a much better place. So I’m happy with that. I’m happy with the success that I’ve had, and I feel like there’s been a lot that I’ve learned this year, as well, and that’s a great thing going into the future.
After hosting two Rory McIlroy Foundation gala dinners in New York later this week he will head into a well-earned six week break before returning to January’s 10th anniversary Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but more importantly looking to write his name into golfing folklore with success in April’s Masters at Augusta.
If triumphant he will not only join Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as one of only four golfers to have win three Majors in succession but of more historical importance McIlroy will become just the fifth player to have won all four Majors.
McIlroy remarked last fortnight in Dubai he had been counting the days to the 2014 Masters ever since the day he captured a second PGA Championship.
By way of an update it is now 129 days to McIlroy will drive down Magnolia Lane and tee up at Augusta National.
McIlROY – SEASON FACTS
Wins – BMW PGA Championship, British Open, WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship.
Lowest score – 63, First round Dubai Desert Classic (European Tour); 63 – First Round Honda Classic and First round Memorial (PGA Tour).
Highest score – 78, Second round Memorial.
Played – 24 events. Four wins, five seconds & six other top-10s. One missed cut (Irish Open)
Highest cheque – Euro 1,346,196 – 1st place PGA Championship.
