Rory McIlroy told he’s the ‘only one’ who can break long-standing golf record
Rory McIlroy has been recognized by Colin Montgomerie as the leading candidate to break a long-standing record in European golf. McIlroy, currently 35, is in pursuit of his sixth Race to Dubai title, a feat that would bring him within two titles of Montgomerie’s record. Montgomerie, the record-holder with eight Race to Dubai titles, has expressed confidence that McIlroy is uniquely positioned to surpass his mark.
Montgomerie set the benchmark in 2005 after an impressive streak in the 1990s, where he claimed seven consecutive titles between 1993 and 1999, followed by an additional title in 2005. McIlroy, with five Race to Dubai titles to his name, is on track to challenge this record. This season, McIlroy has accumulated a significant lead in the standings with 3,236.93 points, placing him ahead of Adam Scott and in a strong position to secure another title.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Montgomerie shared his belief in McIlroy’s potential to break his record. He noted, “If Rory does it (catches up) in the Race to Dubai as they call it now, hopefully I’ll be able to fly out there and congratulate him because I’ll know how difficult it is to achieve that.” Montgomerie acknowledged McIlroy’s unique position in challenging the record, suggesting that while surpassing seven consecutive titles might be unlikely, the possibility of McIlroy surpassing eight or even nine titles remains very real. Montgomerie expressed a personal connection with McIlroy, recalling that he was a rookie in Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup team in 2010. This bond, he said, makes the prospect of McIlroy breaking the record all the more meaningful for him.
McIlroy’s pursuit of this historic achievement is currently taking place amidst a challenging period in his career. He is competing at the BMW Championship, where he finds himself seven shots behind the leader, Keegan Bradley. Bradley, who is also the captain of Team USA for the 2025 Ryder Cup, is likely to be a significant rival for McIlroy in future competitions. McIlroy’s performance at the BMW Championship has been marked by some notable frustrations, including a dramatic incident where he threw his driver into a water hazard after a poor tee shot on the 17th hole. After retrieving the club, McIlroy’s caddie had to dry it off, adding an awkward moment to his already turbulent round.
This difficult end to the season for McIlroy follows a disappointing collapse at the US Open earlier in the summer. Having been in contention for his first major championship in a decade, McIlroy faltered during the final round, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to secure the victory. This setback has added to the pressure as McIlroy looks to conclude the year on a positive note.
The BMW Championship and the upcoming Tour Championship represent McIlroy’s final opportunities to salvage his season before entering a crucial off-season. The outcome of these events will be pivotal as he prepares for a strong comeback in 2025. The focus now is on whether McIlroy can end his year on a high and continue his quest to surpass Montgomerie’s historic record in the future.
