DUBAI: Rory McIlroy capped off a tumultuous year by winning the World Tour Championship and his sixth title as Europe’s No. 1 player. He birdied two of the last three holes Sunday for a 3-under 69 to win by two over Rasmus Hojgaard.
McIlroy hit wedge to within a foot on the 16th hole to break out of a tie with Hojgaard, then closed with a 6-foot birdie for his third title in the European tour’s season finale.
He won the Race to Dubai — previously known as the Order of Merit — for the sixth time in his career, leaving him two behind the record held by Colin Montgomerie and tying him with the late Seve Ballesteros.
Hojgaard, who rallied to stun McIlroy in the Irish Open in September, didn’t make a birdie over the final 11 holes and had to settle for a 71.
McIlroy was emotional when he came off the 18th green, his final event of a year memorable for so many reasons. He won four times — twice on the PGA Tour — but went a 10th consecutive year without a major when he threw away a late lead in the US Open.
He announced he was getting a divorce before the PGA Championship, and then scrapped those plans and said he and his wife would try to reconcile.
“I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally and personally,” McIlroy said. “It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered this year a lot.”
Rory McIlroy ends his year with another win in Dubai and a 6th title as Europe’s best
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Rory McIlroy ends his year with another win in Dubai and a 6th title as Europe’s best
- He birdied two of the last three holes Sunday for a 3-under 69 to win by two over Rasmus Hojgaard
Morocco rally to defeat Jordan in dramatic Arab Cup final
- Earlier in the day, the third-place match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE was suspended indefinitely due to adverse weather conditions
DOHA: Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah had the final say as Morocco clinched the Arab Cup title with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Jordan in a thrilling final at a sold-out Lusail Stadium on Thursday.
In a pulsating contest that echoed the 2022 World Cup final at the same venue, Morocco twice came from behind to deny Jordan a first Arab Cup crown and lift the trophy in spectacular fashion.
Oussama Tannane put the Atlas Lions ahead with a stunning long-range strike early on, capitalising on a turnover inside the Moroccan half before spotting goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila off his line and sending a dipping effort into the net.
Jordan, however, produced a remarkable response in the second half through tournament top scorer Ali Olwan.
The forward leveled just three minutes after the restart, nodding home from close range following a quickly taken corner by Mohannad Abu Taha.
Midway through the half, Jordan were awarded a penalty after Achraf El-Mahdioui was adjudged to have handled Mahmoud Al-Mardi’s effort inside the area.
Olwan calmly converted straight down the middle to give the Jordanians a 2-1 lead and put them on the brink of glory.
Morocco pressed relentlessly in search of an equalizer and were rewarded two minutes from time when a corner fell kindly to Hamed Allah, who finished from close range after his initial effort rebounded off the post.
The closing moments of normal time were filled with drama, as Morocco had a penalty appeal waved away before Olwan squandered a one-on-one opportunity on the counter.
Hamed Allah ensured there would be no further twists, sealing the title in the 100th minute of extra time with a close-range volley to spark celebrations among the Moroccan faithful and cap a perfect build-up to the next summer’s World Cup.
Earlier in the day, the third-place match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE was suspended indefinitely due to adverse weather conditions, with FIFA confirming that a decision on third place will be taken by the relevant committee in due course.
