Rory McIlroy has admitted his failure to secure a major title in 2024 "stings", despite considering it a "successful season" overall.
The Northern Irishman has claimed three tournament victories this year - two on the PGA Tour and one on the DP World Tour.
"I've been really proud of that over the past few years," McIlroy said at Wednesday's pre-tournament press conference in Dubai.
"But then, at the same time, thinking about the ones that have got away. I should be sitting up here with a fifth major title and I'm not, so that stings and that's something that I've had to come to terms with," he added.
Rory McIlroy has admitted his failure to secure a major title in 2024 "stings", despite considering it a "successful season" overall
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McIlroy's disappointment stems particularly from an agonising one-shot defeat to Bryson DeChambeau in June's US Open, where he suffered a late collapse in the final round.
Despite the setback, the golfer maintains a positive outlook on his year's performance.
"Did I achieve every goal I set myself this year? Probably not, but I still consider it a successful season," McIlroy reflected.
Rory McIlroy came agonisingly close to winning the US Open earlier this year
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When asked to grade his 2024 performance, he responded: "It would be a pass. It wouldn't be a pass with flying colours. Probably an eight."
He currently sits third in world rankings behind Americans Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.
McIlroy heads into this week's DP World Tour Championship with a chance to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title.
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Rory McIlroy is content with his season despite the golf star failing to win a major
A top-11 finish at Jumeirah Golf Estates would guarantee him the £1,569,988 prize as Europe's top golfer, regardless of rival Thriston Lawrence's performance.
Unlike last year when he had already secured the title, McIlroy feels extra motivated this time.
"Coming here last year I already had it wrapped up, which was obviously really nice, but at the same time maybe lacked a little bit of motivation within the tournament because of that," he said.
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McIlroy starts with a commanding 1,785.02 points lead over Lawrence, who has achieved 10 top-10 finishes this year.
Victory this weekend would see McIlroy equal Seve Ballesteros' achievement in the all-time Race to Dubai rankings, leaving him just two behind record holder Colin Montgomerie's eight titles.
The significance isn't lost on McIlroy, despite his limited personal memory of the Spanish legend.
"Seve is almost like, not a mythical character to me, but was just a little bit before my time," McIlroy reflected.
"But he was my dad's favourite player. The immense impact he had on European golf from a Ryder Cup and from what he did for the European Tour, he means a lot to the overall game of golf."
"To draw level with him and to have a career that can somewhat stack up against his is very cool."
