Rory McIlroy has spoken highly of Scottish golf icon Colin Montgomerie as he prepares for the upcoming DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. McIlroy described Montgomerie’s achievements as “underrated,” especially given the fierce competition he faced during his career in the 1990s.
As he aims for a historic fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title, McIlroy boasts a significant 767-point lead in the standings. A victory this week would not only mark his seventh title but also place him just one shy of Montgomerie’s remarkable record of eight. Reflecting on Montgomerie’s legacy, McIlroy emphasized the golfer’s remarkable consistency over seven years, which allowed him to secure eight Order of Merits during a golden era of European golf.
“He had to fend off some pretty good opposition,” McIlroy noted, referencing competitors like Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, and Bernard Langer. Before the introduction of the Race to Dubai, the season-long competition in Europe was known as the Order of Merit, which Montgomerie dominated. His seven consecutive titles from 1993 to 1999, followed by an eighth in 2005, highlighted his unparalleled prowess.
Today, Montgomerie remains a prominent figure in European golf, with an estimated net worth of $55 million and 31 European Tour victories to his name. He was also the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 1988.
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This week holds even greater significance for McIlroy as the DP World Tour has announced the establishment of the Rory McIlroy Award. This new accolade will honor the DP World Tour member who excels in the four major championships, debuting in 2026. The award will recognize the player accumulating the most Race to Dubai points from the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open.
“To have something named after you, that will be presented to future generations of players, is a huge honor and it is very humbling,” McIlroy remarked. He expressed gratitude for the DP World Tour, which he credits as the starting point of his career and a platform for his representation of Europe, particularly in events like the Ryder Cup.
Earlier this year, McIlroy made headlines by winning the Masters, which saw him become the sixth golfer in men’s history to achieve a career Grand Slam. This accolade places him among legends like Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. The introduction of the Rory McIlroy Award aligns him with other notable figures in DP World Tour history who have had honors named in their memory, including Seve Ballesteros and Harry Vardon.
