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Title holder of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series of the season on the program this week at the Emirates Golf Club, Rory McIlroy, elected by his peers as best player of the year 2024 on the DP World Tour, also returned to the very probable “transfer” of Tom McKibbin to the Saudi circuit.
After 2012, 2014 and 2015, Rory McIlroy has just been crowned best player of the year for the fourth time (Seve Ballesteros Award). He received 46% of the votes ahead of the Dane Rasmus Højgaard and the South African Tristan Lawrence.
The Northern Irishman, 35, had already won his sixth last November Harry Vardon Trophy (No. 1 of the Race). In the starting blocks to offer themselves a fifth coronation this week at Hero Dubaï Desert Classicthe third in a row (after 2009, 2015, 2023 and 2024), the current world No. 3 paid tribute to the great Severiano Ballesterosrepresented for the presentation of this prestigious award by his son, Javier.
« This award is very special because it is the result of a vote by his peers, underlines the Briton. They are the ones who have been with you week after week, playing on the same golf courses, competing. So getting their vote is very meaningful. I told Javier that the legacy his father left not only to European golf, but also to world golf, will live forever. Our whole motivation that we rally around on the Ryder Cup team is Seve, and we feel like we have an advantage because of that. »
$5 million over two years
During his press conference, Rory McIlroy was also asked about the still unclear future of his protégé, Tom McKibbin22 years old, announced for several weeks now, on the LIFE Golf for a two-year, $5 million contract (a pittance when you compare the two contracts of his potential teammates on the team XIII Legion : Rahm (500 millions), Hatton (60 million)). The two men like each other. They are also members of theHolywood Golf Clubin the suburbs of Belfast.
« I've known Tom since he was 10, 11 years old, he whispers. As soon as he received the offer, he called me. I really like him as a person, as a player too. I think he has a lot of potential. I told him that if I were in his place, I would make a different choice than the one he is considering making. Working so hard to get his Tour card in the United States, which he did, to achieve that goal last year, was a great accomplishment. I think what he's sacrificing and giving up with access to the Majors, a potential place in the Ryder Cup, is not worth it. »
I have the impression that he gives up a lot of things so as not to get much out of it.
Rory McIlroy on Tom McKibbin
« It would personally be a little disappointing for me if that were to happen, but I've made it very clear: I'm not going to stop him, especially if you have to make the decision you think you have to make for yourself. But at the same time, I have the impression that he gives up a lot of things so as not to get much out of it. »
« I would say there is still a ton of money to be made on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. There is so much money in the game, and some would say there is too much money for the spectators we attract. But whatever benefit it may bring, I don't think it's worth the sacrifice it's potentially going to give up. »
Tom McKibbin, 18th in the 2024 Race, validated his ticket for the PGA Tour 2025. Engaged in the Team Cup with the British Islands and Ireland team, he won three of his four matches (each time in doubles). Just like McIlroy, he is present this week on the Majlis Course (with Johannes Veerman et Elvis Smylietwo recent winners on the European Tour, during the first two rounds). After a missed cut in 2023, he finished 14th last year.
Photo : Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
